Davide Cimolai is mostly working as part of the Lampre-Merida lead-out to set up sprinters Sacha Modolo and Roberto Ferrari but in the Criterium du Dauphiné, he has got a chance to sprint for himself. Today he did one of the fastest sprints of all to come from far behind to take fifth in the third stage.

Davide Cimolai has often proved that he is a very capable sprinter but being part of a Lampre-Merida team with top sprinters like Sacha Modolo and Roberto Ferrari, he has often been finding himself in a lead-out role. With none of the team's main sprinters riding at the Criterium du Dauphiné, the Italian has a rare chance to chase some personal glory in this week's racing in France.

Today he got an opportunity to show his cards after a late break with his teammate Elia Favilli had been brought back in the finale. Filippo Pozzato brought him into position in the finale but unfortunately he found himself on Arnaud Demare's wheel and the Frenchman was boxed in and never got the chance to sprint.

In the end, Cimolai saw an opening and proved his great potential by launching a fierce sprint that allowed him to pass several riders and take fifth. His fast finish left him with a slight regret as he was wondering what might have been.

"I'm pleased with how I expressed myself in the sprint," he said. "I made ​​a great comeback. I can see that I am at the same level as my opponents and have the quality to win.

"I have to evaluate my sprint keeping in mind that this is the first sprint I do after two months in which I have recharged my batteries after a busy first half of the season. I have a small regret for not being able to start the sprint in a better position. In the coming opportunities, I will work to improve on this aspect."
 

Pozzato crashed earlier in the stage but only suffered a wound in his arm.