Only classified as hilly stage the climb at the end should provide gaps even if the narrow roads don't.



Jimmy Lincina makes the effort to be part of the morning breakaway, but the peloton isn't letting anything go with more than 5 riders.



So after a number of failed attempts the peloton was going to pass through the first sprint point without anybody in front of them.



So Jake Keough jumps out front at the last second and picks up a few sprint points, and a little extra cash. (We told him he could take some of the money and have a steak dinner after the race.)



Eventually a three man breakaway got away, including Lithuanian RR Champ Vytautas Kaupas.



They still hold a 3 minute lead 20kms from the finish at the second sprint point.



And at the mountain check at the very start of the climb their lead is down to about a minute. Surely they will be caught.



Rui Costa launches the first attack as expected. Kessiakoff tries to counter but is blocked in my the Movistar riders setting the tempo at the front on the narrow mountain road. It is a reverse effect of what happen on stage 2.



Kessiakoff is slowly closing down the gap, but 3rd in GC Eduard Vorganov luanches another attack up by Costa. In the process they wipeout the breakaway riders.



With 1km to go Eduard Vorganov has opened up a gap on Costa while Kessiakoff is now struggling to keep up.



And Vorganov is the best climber today, Costa takes 2nd, and David López beats Fredrik for 3rd. Time is made out between each of the riders but Kessiakoff stays in yellow but his lead has shrank to 31 seconds.

Stage

GC

Mountain Points

Everything comes down to this stage. Kessiakoff has to defend yellow, and King of the Mountains will most likely will be decided with all the points available today. That being said look for a EA-Sony rider in the breakaway to collect as many points as possible to keep Electronic Arts happy with our performance.



And it's the Irishman Philip Deignan that makes the breakaway and collects 6 points at the first climb, giving him a total of 12.



The peloton is willing to let this group go, with Deignan the best placed GC rider 10'38'' behind Kessiakoff.



Deignan takes 3rd on top of second climb for 10 points. But in bigger news the peloton doesn't even have the desire to chase and they are out front by 11 minutes. Deignan has virtually yellow, surely the peloton will do something now.



At the sprint point the peloton has reacted taking 3 minutes out of their lead as the riders face a long flat section before the final climb.



The breakaway still has a 4 minute lead as we complete the flat section marked by another sprint point which Deignan wins.



With the peloton closing the gap fast Deignan attacks very early on the climb.



It doesn't take long for the peloton to split into small groups. And Deignan is caught by the front group with all the favourites including Kessiakoff 5kms from the top. Now all the eyes where on who was going to make the first attack.



The ride 3kms without an attack until Kessiakoff takes things into his own hands wanting to take the 16 KoM points on top of the climb which would put he first in that competition. And he is followed by current KoM leader Eduard Vorganov.



Fredrik takes first on the climb, and now starts riding away. The only problem is he has a empty water bottle as it was until able to be full before we started the climb.



But he pushes onward. With a kilometer go the road is filling up with spectators. Kessiakoff is having problems hearing us over the radio ... which is probably a good thing as all we were doing was cheering as well.



Kessiakoff raises his arms in the air and celebrates his 2nd stage win of the year, and if everything goes normal tomorrow he will also take home EA-Sony's first tour win of the year as well. A job well done!

Stage

GC

Mountain Points

The final stage should provide action right at the start with the early mountain sprint, and finish with a big bunch sprint. Kessiakoff just has to stay out of trouble and the tour will be his to put on his resume.



Great news for Kessiakoff as the morning breakaway pass through the KoM check point, meaning Kessiakoff secures our first goal of the season. Our focus now turns to not letting this breakaway get away.



At the most the BOTD gets 8 minutes but they are all brought back just in time for the bunch sprint.



Oscar Gatto leads the way with 2kms to go, Saur - Sojasun sprint train is down to men along with Colnago - CSF Inox. Jimmy Casper and Sacha Modolo are going to have make their move soon.



Gatto is losing steem, Casper is in perfect position for his second stage win of the year.



But wait, Modolo comes out of a cannon. Casper looks over and has to kick again.



It's going to be close ... (Oh, and Keough gets blocked by the men pulling off at the front. He manages 23rd for his efforts.)



Casper fights back and takes Modolo on the line. Great win for him. And Fredrik Kessiakoff stays out of trouble and brings home EA-Sony's 8th total GC win in the history of the team.

Stage

GC

Sprint Points

Mountain Points

Young Rider

Team

Our Riders



After a great start in our first race we hope for the same results bring a strong squad here in Italy. Today will mark the start of the season for Swedish RR Champ Lofkvist, Irishman Danny Martin,
and now developed climber Andrew Talansky.



Lofkvist gets some early face time as he suffers a flat tire, but don't worry he makes his way back into the peloton,
who continue to pull back the breakaways.



Until, this 4 man breakaway gets away halfway through the stage.
Including young prospect Talansky.



Now at the second to last time check
the peloton still has no interest to chase them.



At the final sprint they lead by 12 minutes! I should probably mention their names now becuase they are going to be battling it out between themselves for today's win. Alessandro Bazzana, Tomasz Lisowicz, Kristjan Fajt, and ofcourse Andrew Talansky.



Lisowicz goes off solo with 15kms to go. And Talansky is the only one who tries to counter, but he is gone.
They well have to work together if they want to see him again.



Now with 5kms to go, Lisowicz holds a 30 second gap to Talansky and Kristjan Fajt. Alessandro Bazzana is struggling to keep up.



About 10 minutes back the peloton finally reaches the climb. Lofkvist makes a strong move off the front, while Kessiakoff follows right behind.



But today belongs to this man, Tomasz Lisowicz a great solo victory.



Talansky shows he still has problems with sprints,
but he does manage his best ever career finish - A 3rd.



Lofkvist takes 5th, +7'38. And Kessiakoff follows right behind in 6th but 13 seconds later. But their loses don't end their as you also have to count up all the time bonifications as well. All in all a great day for Talansky, but it's a shame the time gaps had to be so larger.

Stage

GC