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CYCLING – Edoardo Zambanini of Bahrain Victorious came in a very impressive third yesterday on a tough stage 3 at the Tour of Britain, from Sheffield to Barnsley.
After over 2,200 vertical metres ridden entirely in damp, overcast weather, the 23 year old launched his attack from a reduced group on a hard finish in the historic centre of the South Yorkshire market town.
The conditions were treacherous all day. Narrow, slippery roads had led to tense battles for position on the three classified climbs of Long Lane, Jawbone Hill, and particularly the last test: Hound Hill. After the bunch crested that, there remained just four kilometres, ending in a 400m drag to the line.
Victorious, (along with Israel-Premier Tech & DSM), had been pulling the peloton for the last 55km, notably with trainee Vlad Van Mechelen putting in a phenomenal shift at the front.
Zambanini said: “Today was very demanding right from the start – testing uphills and riders attacking off the front. After that it calmed down for a while until a very open section when the wind started to play a part, and we caught a pretty dangerous break which included (double world champion) Julian Alaphilippe (SOQ).
After that, the attacks started again, and 8 guys went clear. Back in the main bunch we organised ourselves before the finale.”
Inside the last five kilometres, riders from Ineos, DSM, Soudal Quickstep and Uno-X all tried – unsuccessfully – to get away, before that decisive uphill finish. ‘Edo’ went to the front first, dragging race leader Stevie Williams (IPT) and Paul Magnier (SOQ) with him, and despite a super-strong acceleration, he couldn’t shake them. Williams took his second victory of the week and Magnier was runner up.
“The little attacks were intense, but with the help of my teammates throughout the day I was right where I needed to be for the last few hundred metres,” continued Zambanini.
“Maybe I launched slightly too early, but to be honest Stevie is so strong this week I can only compliment him.”
Stage 4 is 138.5km starting in Derby, and with a pan-flat profile is expected to end in a bunch sprint in Newark-on-Trent.
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