The Stage
During the third stage, the riders had to complete an individual time trial of 14.4 km in length, with an intermediate checkpoint at 7.2 km. The relatively short and flat course did not necessarily present any particular difficulties or challenges, but it was expected to lead to changes in the general classification.
The Team Tactics
Today’s time trial was a significant day for the general classification. The results of the stage would no doubt shake things up in the GC, and so it was crucial for the team to put in a solid performance here, in order to be in a good position for the upcoming stages.
The Race
The first riders out on the course set times over the 20-minute mark. R. Mullen, who led the standings for most of the day, set a time of 17:43 after putting in a particularly strong performance in the second half of the time trial. For quite some time, he held over a minute’s lead over any of the riders behind him, yet this quite substantial advantage was predictably whittled down as the day progressed.
Rafał Majka was the last BORA-hansgrohe rider to take on the relatively short time trial, and the 12th last rider in the field to enter the course. By the intermediate checkpoint, Majka logged a time of 8:20, ahead of the leader, R. Mullen, who clocked in at 8:35, and the fastest rider at the intermediate check, R. Cavagna, at 8:33. By the end of the stage, he registered a time of 18:13, 30 seconds behind R. Mullen, to claim third place on the stage.
From the Finish Line
„It is a pleasant surprise to do well in my first race in January, and to get a good result in the end. I have a good position in the general classification now, and have some time up my sleeve. But there are of course still many more stages to come, including some long and difficult climbs, so the GC can still change around a lot in the coming days. We will definitely try to do our best, control the race, and put up a strong fight.” – Rafał Majka
“Rafał put in a strong and solid ride in the time trial. Finishing third on the stage is a good result for him and the team. Everything worked well and went according to plan today. He had a good position throughout the ride, and had good cadence, so we are very happy with his performance. His result today means that we are in a good position in the general classification, and we can only hope to consolidate today’s result in the climbs that are yet to come this week. Hopefully he will continue to have good legs and we can put on a strong fight for the general classification.” – Enrico Poitschke
