Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Gianni Meersman won his second stage at Tour de Romandie, winning the bunch sprint at the end of 181km Stage 3 on Friday. He was led to the finish by several OPQS teammates, who did all the chasing for the peloton in the final kilometers to bring back a lone rider shortly after the flamme rouge.
Meersman launched off the wheel of Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEDGE) after being led to the final meters by his teammates. He bested Francesco Gavazzi (Astani) and Albasini.
This was the 23rd victory, in three disciplines, for OPQS in 2013. It was also Meersman's fourth victory of the season. Meersman is now tied with Richie Porte (Team Sky ProCycling) for the most UCI WorldTour wins, and OPQS has eight WorldTour victories.
"I was disappointed about my sprint yesterday and wanted to make it up today for everybody — my teammates especially ," Meersman said. "They did a great job today, did a perfect leadout and I'm really happy with my second victory at Tour de Romandie. It maybe looked easy in the final but it was not so easy. With 2 kilometers to go I knew the guys had something left in the tank to catch Malori ahead (Lampre-Merida). Tony Martin took me to the last 600 or 700 meters. It was perfect. As for tomorrow, I'm going to help the boys now. Before coming here I had three stages in mind. The first stage I won, then yesterday I was third, and today I won again. So, I am happy."
