Etixx - Quick-Step rider Gianluca Brambilla once again showed good condition in the last part of the 2015 road season, this time finishing 6th in a group of top GC contenders in the 140km Stage 3 of Abu Dhabi Tour on Saturday.
Johan Esteban Chaves (Orica GreenEDGE) won the stage after attacking solo in the final kilometers. Wout Poels (Team Sky) bridged solo to him before the finish line, and was poised to take the stage after attacking into a final corner. However, bad luck struck and Poels crashed. Poels finished 3rd as Fabio Aru (Astana) caught up to Poels as he was trying to get back on his bike and head to the finish line.
Brambilla contested the minor places out of his group tha included riders like Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). He finished at the front of that group, which crossed 1'19" down on Chaves. Brambilla is now 9th overall, and Chaves is the new race leader.
Carlos Verona was also on the back of the peloton as it rode on to the final climb, but lost contact. The Chaves solo attack further exploded what was left of the peloton.
Two original breakaway riders were caught just as the field reached Jebel Hafeet.
Etixx - Quick-Step looks next to a conclusive 110km circuit stage in Yas Marina on Sunday.
