The pair crossed the line shoulder-to-shoulder, with Ayuso finally awarded the win and now moves into to the leaders jersey ahead of stage 4.
Marc Soler was chief animator on the final climb, attacking the race in trademark style and softening up the competition. The Catalan snuck away with Sepp Kuss (Visma LAB) and Lorenzo Fortunato (XDS-Astana) but were overhauled inside the final kilometre.
As Soler led out the sprint it was Roglič who launched first, but a fast turn of pace from Ayuso in the dying metres saw the Spaniard just come out on top. Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep)rounded out the podium in third. Ayuso now holds a 6” advantage over Roglic ahead of the races second mountain finish tomorrow.
Ayuso: ” I managed to win against a great rival. I felt I had to after the team did such an amazing job. My aunt passed away last week so I’d like to dedicate this victory to her. I was only thinking of her in the last kilometre.
The final here is very tricky because you really need to be in front in the last turn and I wasn’t. Primoz showed himself as a true champion as he didn’t close me off and behaved himself and it was a fair sprint, so chapeau to him for that. I’m glad I could manage to come around him.”
Volta a Catalunya Stage 3 results (& GC standings)
1.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 5:49:29
2.Primoz Roglic (Red Bull BORA-hansgrohe) s.t
3.Mikel Landa (Soudal-Quickstep) +2”
