Austrian wonder boy Riccardo Zoidl (Trek) proved that his fantastic results in 2013 were no fluke when he finished 2nd behind Stephen Cummings in today's hilly 18.2km time trial in the Tour Mediteraneen. Riding his first race since signing with Trek, Zoidl was surprised to be within 4 seconds of a win at this early point in his professional career.

The afternoon stage of the double race day at the Tour Méditerranéen included an 18.2-kilometer hilly time trial - the first real test for the GC riders - and Steve Cummings (BMC Racing) proved to be the strongest, blazing through the tough course in a time of 24:27. Neopro Riccardo Zoidl was a close second, only four seconds slower (24:31), with Sylvain Chavanel (IAM Cycling) in third, 10 seconds back (24:37). 

The time trial included two challenging climbs, and it was the GC riders from each team that established the best times in the race against the clock.

Zoidl achieved several strong results in 2013 and they earned him a professional contract with Trek. Uncertain about what to expect in his first race with his new team, the Tour of Austria winner had never expected to get so close to the win.

“The first climb was three kilometers long, and I had a good rhythm there, ” explained an elated Riccardo Zoidl. “The downhill was also hard because of the wind. On the second climb Luca [Guercilena] told me I needed to go full gas because it would make the difference. So I went full gas. After that it was downhill to the finish, and at the end, it just worked out for me.

“I am very happy. I was surprised with my result. I was hoping to do a top 10, maybe. The goal was just to do a good time trial, but to fight for the win? Luca was behind me, saying keep going, keep going and that it’s possible."

Trek Factory Racing’s Bob Jungels also had a solid top ten result in the time trial, placing seventh, 37 seconds behind the winning time. 

The morning’s stage three - a short, fast 63-kilometers - ended in a bunch finish with John Degenkolb (Giant Shimano) sprinting to his third consecutive victory, beating out Thor Husvold (BMC Racing) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bardiani CSF).  Fabio Felline placed 5th in the final dash to the line, making it a good day for Trek after a slow start to the race.

The time trial has set the stage for tomorrow, ending with a five-kilometer finish atop mont Faron, which will certainly be the determining factor who takes home the overall victory at the Tour Méditerranéen.

“It was a good result for the team,” said director Alain Gallopin. “It was what we hoped to do here; our goals were to go for the overall with Riccardo and Bob. This morning we had a small result, this afternoon we had a better result, and maybe tomorrow we will have a very good result.”

Steve Cummings will wear the yellow leader's jersey into tomorrow's decisve, final stage with a slim four-second margin over Zoidl, who sits in second place.