Etixx - Quick-Step rider Rigoberto Uran finished 2nd at 156.6km Volta Ciclista a Catalunya Stage 3 on Wednesday, as an elite group of seven riders formed on the Cat. 1 climb Alt dels Angels, the final categorized climb of the stage.
The group included Uran, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R - La Mondiale), teammates Daniel Martin and Andrew Talansky (Cannondale-Garmin), Fabio Aru (Astana), and Richie Porte (Team Sky). Talansky and Martin were able to bridge back to the group shortly after the top of the final climb.
Pozzovivo (AGR2 - La Mondiale) took advantage of the group's momentary hesitation, and he attacked with 2km to go and went on to win solo. Martin was 3rd alongside Uran in the sprint behind for the final podium placements.
The group was also trying to put time into GC riders caught in groups behind.
Pierre Rolland (Europcar) takes over the race lead 1'08" ahead of Maciej Paterski (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) and 1'16" ahead of Bart De Clerq (Lotto Soudal). Pozzovivo is now 4th, and Uran 5th in the overall.
Pieter Serry crashed and was taken to the hospital for further examinations.
Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to 188.4km Stage 4, from Tona to a Category 1 La Molina summit finale.
"Today we finished with seven riders, but to be honest I was aiming for the victory," Uran said. "I was positioning myself in preparation to win the stage, but when Pozzovivo attacked no one wanted to react. After Martin and Talansky, two teammates, came back to the group we were focused on the tactics. Everyone was there looking at each other and Pozzovivo took advantage to win the race. I did my sprint and I was 2nd. It's another 2nd place after my 2nd at the 4th Stage of Tirreno - Adriatico. These results show I am in good condition, but today I was really hoping to go for the stage win. Considering the overall classification, I am happy because on the climb I responded to the attacks from riders like Contador and Porte, and I felt good. I am happy about my performance and my feeling in the mountains. Tomorrow is probably the hardest stage with an uphill finish. It's a difficult stage, and we will see what can happen tomorrow. Of course I have a good team around me, so we will do the best we can to defend our GC position and maybe try to do something more for the stage. A few riders crashed today on the downhill and unfortunately Pieter Serry was one of them. I hope it is not too serious. It is a pity for him and the team that he cannot be at the start tomorrow and we wish him the best. "
