Thor Hushovd (BMC) finished 8th in the bunch sprint at the end of yesterday's third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. Acknowledging his lack of speed in a flat finish he regarded the day's effort as good training for Milan-Sanremo.

After a terrible 2012 where illness forced him to miss most of his season targets and end his season prematurely, former world champion Thor Hushovd seems back on track. After struggling in the Tour de San Luis in January, his legs came around in the Tour du Haut Var where he secured his first win of the year in stage 1.

The promising signs continued in yesterday's third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico. In a difficult day marred by rain and several climbs in the final he managed to stay in the lead group and finished 8th in the sprint.

Some years ago the Norwegian admitted that age had taken away his top speed and that he is no longer able to compete with the fastest guys in a classic bunch sprint. Hence, he did not expect to win yesterday's stage and was encouraged by his sensation in view of his first big objective of the season.

"I was there in the front group and tried to give it a go," he said. "Looking toward Milan-Sanremo, it's good training. But when it's a fast sprint, I don't have the speed in my legs to match the best guys."

Focusing on Evans

With the flat stages out of the way the race enters its decisive phase today with the queen stage finishing with atop Prato di Tivo. With Cadel Evans gunning for a repeat victory of his 2011 triumph in the race Hushovd and the other BMC riders will turn all their attention to the 2011 Tour winner.

Sport director Max Sciandri was optimistic going into the decisive stage.

"Last year, this stage decided the winner," he said. "We're safe and healthy and so we're going to aim for tomorrow."

The stage to Prato di Tivo was last year won by Vincenzo Nibali who went on to win the race overall. The Italian from Astana is back to defend his title and will be one of Evans' main adversaries alongside the likes of Alberto Contador, Chris Froome and Joaquin Rodriguez.