The Austrian of Trek Factory Racing Riccardo Zoidl has made his way to the overall podium in the Tour Mediterraneen. Today, he finished 6th on the mountain stage, won by Jean-Christophe Peraud, and due to a runner-up position in yesterday's TT yesterday he finished third overall.

The stage ended with a 5.5 km climb with an average grade of 9 %. Everything was decided on the final climb. Jean-Christophe Peraud quickly showed that he wanted the victory and dropped everyone else with a stinging attack inside the final kilometre.      

Riccardo Zoidl rode his own pace and kept the leaders in sight. He ended up finishing sixth on the stage, defending his place on the podium.

“The attack from the front group happened with 2.5 kilometers to go,” said Zoidl to the Trek webpage. “They attacked, and I kept my rhythm and just stayed 5-10 seconds behind them, and it stayed that way to the finish. It was better for me to keep my own pace, otherwise I knew I could have lost more time.

“I did not feel any stress at the start, but it was stressful going into the climb as everyone was fighting for position to be first,” continued Zoidl.  “We did it perfect - we came with good position in the last climb."

“The last 40kms the whole team was always in the front. They did a good job for me, especially in the last turn into the climb I was in 5th position, and so I have to say a big thanks to the team. I was feeling good, but in the end the other two were just stronger. I am happy with my performance – and I know that I have space to improve for the future.”

"It was my first race of the year," he added to Directvelo. "To start the season like this - with a 3rd place overall - is simply amazing. I really want to thank the team that has had great confidence in me. I am really happy with my start at Trek. Now I have to continue my momentum and continue my progress.

"Of course, I started the final climb with the intention to win the race. I tried to take the win but the other two guys (Peraud and Cummings, ed.) were too strong. At the end of the climb, I just tried to limit the damage to stay on the podium.

"What really surprises me is yesterday's time trial. I knew I could do a good time trial but I would never have imagined that I could finish 2nd. I was super happy with that performance.

"After my 2013 season, I wanted to start strongly in 2014. It was really the plan. It is always more fun to start a year in a good way. For the team, we need to show that we are there and respect the trust from the management."

Zoidl's immediate race schedule is a bit up in the air but he knows where he is heading in the long term.

"For the next few weeks, nothing is certain. I don't know if I will do the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Volta a Catalunya. In any case, I will do the Giro d'Italia."