Heading into the race, Team NetApp-Endura had expressed their hope that Tiago Machado could contend for a top 10 finish at the Giro del Trentino but the Portuguese is doing even better than that. After taking 8th in today's tough stage, he finds himself in third on GC with a big chance to make the final podium.

 

The third and penultimate stage of the 38th Giro del Trentino was decided today on an incline of up to 15%. The tour leader, Cadel Evans (BMC), was able to clinch victory in the stage and thus increase his overall lead. He triumphed by attacking in the final kilometer, passing Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R) and Mikel Landa (Astana).   Tiago Machado made his way into the top ten again, climbing to eighth place. He thus improved his position in the overall rankings, moving into third. His fellow countryman José Mendes battled for 140 kilometers in the group of the day.

 

“The group of the day was relatively large and dangerous. It helped that José was in there. He rode a very good race today. He has still not reached his top level after his training block, but he really put himself to the test today. The other riders looked out for Tiago and helped him to get into a very good position for the final climb. With third place in the overall rankings, we achieved precisely today’s aim – to hold on to, or improve on, our good position, so we’re very pleased with how the day has gone”, said Enrico Poitschke after the race.

 

Today too, the start of the race was again hard-fought. After a number of attacks, it was only after 33 kilometers that a group of twelve riders was able to break away. The group included José Mendes from Team NetApp – Endura, who was even the virtual leader of the race right up to the final stretch. 

 

Halfway through the stage, the field picked up the pace and continued to eat away at the breakaway group’s lead. On the climb to the first-category mountain classification, 40 kilometers before the finish, the breakaway group broke up, but was able to regroup again during the descent. 

 

Twenty kilometers before the tricky final stretch, their lead had already diminished to less than a minute. From this point onwards, the leaders were no longer bunched together and there were a number of attacks from the group. On the final three kilometers, all breakaway riders were caught by the field and the favorites were able to position themselves for the short, but steep final climb.

 

Tomorrow’s closing stage takes the riders to the greatest heights on the tour. After the start in Val Daone, the route travels 175 kilometers to the finish on Monte Bondone. The hors categoriemountain takes the riders over twenty kilometers to a height of over 1,600 meters. 

 

“Tomorrow we face the toughest stage. Right from the start, you need to be careful not to be forced to make your move already at the early initial climb, which comes after 27 kilometers.We are focusing entirely on Tiago and hoping to be able to support him as best we can in the final climb”, said Poitschke, looking ahead to the final day.