Etixx - Quick-Step rider Zdenek Stybar was brought into excellent position going into the final kilometers of a short and sharp uphill finale at 203km Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3, from Cascina to Arezzo, on Friday.

Riders such as Stybar, Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing Team), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo), and Filippo Pozzato (Lampre-Merida) waited to pounce on the bunch arrival.

But it was Van Avermaet who launched in ideal position in the front and center of the peloton, and he held on for the stage win. Sagan was 2nd, and Stybar finished 3rd.

Rigoberto Uran, GC leader of Etixx - Quick-Step, kept himself in great position to protect his overall standing. He placed 9th.

Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to 218km Stage 4, from Indicatore to Castelraimondo, on Saturday. There are four GPMs in the stage including three in the final kilometers. The race has a descent into the finish.

"Mark Renshaw brought me perfectly with Fabio Sabatini to the front," Stybar said." They were there all the time. Mark was amazing, he brought me to the front at the perfect time. On the final kilometer I knew I had to be in front so I moved up. I fought for position. Then when we hit the small cobblestones, I maybe hesitated a bit too long and it possibly cost me a bit in the sprint. But even then, considering I finished 3rd with such strong riders I am still happy.

"When we passed the finish the first time I knew it was a good finish for me. So we tried, and the team believed in me this morning until the finish. OK, I didn't get the win, but I am really happy about my condition and I think we can try something again in the next stages with a strong team here. Tomorrow will be another good test. But I think for the moment, I can say my condition is heading in the right way for my objectives and also that our team did all the right things today in support of me for the finale."