2013 Italian champion Ivan Santaromita has claimed third position on the third day of racing at the Tour of Norway today.

In what was the first selection day for general classification at this year’s Tour, Santaromita finished the 185km stage into Rjukan one-minute and four-seconds behind Jesper Hansen (Tinkoff-Saxo) who claimed a solo victory.

“Ivan had a fantastic ride,” sport director Matt Wilson said. “He was able to follow the best guys there on the climb and even had a bit of an attack at one point.

“There was just the one rider from Saxo who was too strong and rode away but Ivan set himself up well and only lost (Edvald) Boasson Hagen on the decent. It was a really hard decent and he got a bit nervous and lost the wheel, which is understandable.”

The result has moved the Italian into seventh overall, one-minute 24seconds behind Hansen who claimed the lead from stage one and two winner Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha).

“He is in a good position but I’m not sure there is more opportunities for him to make up the time,” Wilson said.

“Tomorrow he may be able to, but Tinkoff – Saxo have a strong team here and I think it’ll come down to the final category two climb.”