For the second consecutive day, team Intermarché-Circus-Wanty climbed in the top ten of the stage in the Tour of Italy, this time thanks to Sven Erik Bystrøm at the end of day three this Monday.
The Norwegian rider participated in the battle in the peloton, which was strongly reduced after the two climbs in the final race hour: Valico dei Laghi di Monticchio (3 km at 6.5%) and Valico La Croce (3 km at 6%) with top 30 kilometer before the finish.
Around forty riders sprinted for the victory in Melfi, at the end of a 213 kilometer stage which was covered in five hours. The rain appeared in the second race half, provoking several crashes among which one of Rein Taaramäe in the downhill of the last difficulty.
Bystrøm was protected by Laurens Huys until the final kilometers and was in the mix for the victory. He crossed the line in sixth place, his second top ten in a Grand Tour and the first one in his Giro debut.
The Walloon World Team achieved its third top ten in two days, the day after the fourth and eighth places of sprinters Arne Marit and Niccolò Bonifazio.
« My feeling is really good since the start of the Giro and this resulted in a decent time in the time trial. Today's stage suited me quite well, with a sprint in a reduced peloton. I came to this Giro aiming to realize the goal of our team, achieving a stage win. Therefore we need to seize each opportunity. It might be more natural to do this from a breakaway but I already wanted to grab a chance to go for a good result in the stage today. »
« We analyzed the intentions of the other teams in our pre race meeting and we knew that several teams wanted to make the race hard to get rid of the fastest riders. During the first kilometers of the climb we already understood that the rhythm of the peloton would not enable our sprinters to come back. I could rely on the support of Laurens Huys until the end. He brought me to the front with 2 kilometer to go like I wanted. I was very well positioned, however, a couple of positions more to the front in the last corner would have been ideal. This sixth place is a good result. With our double top ten yesterday we are making an encouraging start of this Giro. »
