Cunego takes victory at Piane di Mocogno while teammate Ulissi retains overall lead as Lampre-Merida continues to assert its dominance on the race.

Damiano Cunego took his first win of the season on stage 3 of the Settimana Coppi e Bartali atop Piane di Mocogno while his Lampre-Merida teammate Diego Ulissi preserved his overall lead.

Cunego’s maiden victory of the season was sealed in characteristic manner, as he launched a sprint from a small group of riders at the summit of the finishing climb. Cunego defeated the in-form Mauro Santambrogio (Vini Fantini-Selle Italia) whilst Matej Mugerli (Adria Mobil) held off Davide Rebellin (CCC Polsat Polkowice) for third.

“The sprint was very difficult because in the closing kilometres, Diego and I had to mark all of our rivals, which was only logical,” Cunego said. “Santambrogio went from the distance because he is excellent when he builds up his speed gradually. I hung on in there and I managed to get around him. I didn’t raise my arms but it’s better to be certain and raise them on the podium afterwards.”

“We had two objectives, to defend my jersey and help Damiano win the stage and we’ve done the double,” Ulissi said. “The team was fantastic in helping us do that, and then Damiano and I showed great mutual understanding and cooperation in the finale.”

The race continues on Saturday with a 14.2 km individual time trial at Crevalcore.

Result stage 3:
1 Damiano Cunego - Lampre - Merida 04.10.18
2 Mauro Santambrogio - Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
3 Matej Mugerli - Adria Mobil
4 Davide Rebellin - CCC Polsat Polkowice
5 Leopold Konig - Team Netapp - Endura
6 Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez - Androni Giocattoli
7 Riccardo Zoidl - Team Gourmetfein Simplon
8 Francesco Manuel Bongiorno - Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
9 Ivan Basso - Cannondale Pro Cycling
10 Robinson Ed Chalapud Gomez – Colombia

General classification:
1 Diego Ulissi - Lampre - Merida 11.19.13
2 Miguel Angel Rubiano Chavez - Androni Giocattoli 0.58
3 Damiano Cunego - Lampre - Merida 1.07
4 Davide Rebellin - CCC Polsat Polkowice 1.40
5 Leopold Konig - Team Netapp - Endura 1.42
6 Ivan Basso - Cannondale Pro Cycling
7 Francesco Manuel Bongiorno - Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox 1.46
8 Riccardo Zoidl - Team Gourmetfein Simplon 1.52
9 Sergio Pardilla Bellon - MTN - Qhubeka 2.17
10 Radoslav Rogina - Adria Mobil 2.49