Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team put the entire team on the front to keep race leader Tony Martin well protected in the 202.9km Tour de Suisse Stage 3 on Monday, and Martin race smart in the final kilometers in order to keep himself in yellow.
Martin — who was guided by Matteo Trentin to the front going into the final climb toward the finish — aggressively moved to the front before pulling off to allow other teams to fight for the sprint in the final 400 meters. Peter Sagan (Cannondale) beat Michael Albasini (Orica-GreenEDGE) to the line as the two battled it out around the final turn just before the finish. Sergio Henao (Team Sky) was 3rd. Martin finished 14th after putting himself into good position before the sprint chaos.
The battle for position was not easy, as the original breakaway was brought back early before a second breakaway was established. The last rider of the second breakaway was caught with less than 8km to go.
Martin takes the GC lead into the 160.4km Stage 4 on Tuesday. The 4th and 5th stages are two of the best possibilities for the bunch sprint.
