Simon Yates has taken a stunning third stage win to further his overall lead at the Giro d’Italia today.
The solo victory, following a bold attack with 17km remaining, makes the 25-year-old the first rider in 15years to claim three stages in the Maglia Rosa following Gilberto Simoni’s efforts in 2003.
As the race enters its final rest day, Yates leads overall by two-minutes 11seconds to Tom Dumoulin (Team Sunweb) and two-minutes 28seconds from Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ).
“It was a bit of instinct. When we came off the descent I saw there was a little gap to a few guys so I asked Jack (Haig) to really push the pace. Then George Bennett (LottoNL-Jumbo) attacked so it was basically really hard from the very bottom, but I still felt good so I chose my moment to go”, said Yates.
“They responded the first time so I gave it everything the second time to get away and finally managed to get away.
“I am super happy, I am a bit emotional after today, I really gave it everything.
“I have a good gap, but he (Dumoulin) could take two minutes out of me in the time trial in one stage. I have been fighting since Israel to have a good gap, I have a good gap but it could vanish in 35kilometres so we will see.”
