(Reuters) – Belgian rider Tim Merlier sprinted to victory in the third stage of the Giro d’Italia on Monday, after race leader Tadej Pogacar threatened to steal a march on the sprinters but the Slovenian safely retained the leader’s maglia rosa.
The mostly flat 166km ride from Novara to Fossano was expected to culminate in a sprint finish, but Pogacar had other plans as he powered away with 2km left to ride, followed by Geraint Thomas, but they were caught before the line.
Soudal Quick-Step’s Merlier took the stage just ahead of Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek with Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay taking third for Intermarche-Wanty.
Pogacar, who won Sunday’s stage two and the overall lead, stays ahead of Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers and Daniel Martinez (BORA-Hansgrohe).
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
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