After an extraordinarily successful Giro d'Italia, the Liquigas team is carrying the winning...
Nibali takes the solo win (Image credit: Mitja Smid Bricelj/Photo SI)
After an extraordinarily successful Giro d'Italia, the Liquigas team is carrying the winning mentality into Slovenia, where former pink jersey wearer Enrico Gasparotto and team-mate Vincenzo Nibali took control of the race on the 168 kilometre long third stage to Beljak.
Nibali launched his attack at the beginning of the final climb, about twenty kilometres before the finish, gaining nearly a minute advantage at the top of the climb. The 22 year-old held on to take the stage just 14 seconds ahead of the chasing peloton, gaining his third win of the season after wins in the GP Larciano and the Giro di Toscana. Enrico Gasparotto, the first pink jersey of the Giro 2007, took the field sprint to give the team the top two steps of the podium, and now holds second place in the overall classification behind Slovenian Mitja Mahoric by just one second.
"After two second places by Chicchi and Gasparotto in the first two stages we expected the victory," said manager Stefano Zanatta. "At the beginning of the climb I suggested to the riders that they attack and avoid the final sprint."
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Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.
