Fabio Silvestre posted his third top 10 in as many days with a ninth place sprint finish Thursday in the third stage at the Tour of Hainan, as Trek Factory Racing began the day down one man with Hayden Roulston too ill to take the start.

Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) sprinted to his first win and inched to one second behind Andrea Palini (Skydive Dubai-Al Ahli Club) in the overall classification.

“At kilometer zero a breakaway of four went away, but after the second sprint bonification two of them waited for the peloton and the race was on easy control,” director Adriano Baffi explained. “With these flat, fast parcours we had the same plan: look for a big group that may go, and if that doesn’t happen look to cover Fabio the best we can for the logical sprint.

“The team did a great job today to help Fabio. Leonardo [Basso] was the last one until one kilometer to go. Fabio said he felt good today but the road narrowed in the final kilometer and he was not in good position. Even if he felt he had power it was impossible for him to move up.”

It was the third straight stage for the sprinters and stage four Friday, the longest of the nine-day race at 237 kilometers, is again flat and expected to end with another bunched, fast finish giving Silvestre the opportunity to test his sprint again.  

“Fabio showed again that he’s there fighting at the end, and for him this is a valuable learning experience,” added Baffi. “All season he has worked for the others and here he has the chance for himself. So far he has one podium, and today he started with the green points jersey. Okay, he is second in the classification but it shows we are a presence in the race, and simply wearing the jersey gives a little added motivation.

“Tomorrow is the longest stage of the Tour of Hainan, 237 km long and all flat. Our tactics remain the same, although it will be a little more difficult without Hayden and only five riders. Hayden had a bad night last night and was worse this morning. It was impossible for him to take the start today.”

Roulston will end his road career after the season to make a return to the track. Hence, yesterday's stage is likely to have been the final race of his career.