Giro d'Italia Stage 3: Fernando Gaviria wins in Cagliari – and takes the race lead

Fernando Gaviria is the new leader of the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia after his Quick Step Floors team blew the peloton apart towards the end of a windy third and final stage of this year’s Big Start on Sardinia.

In winning today’s stage, the 22-year-old becomes the youngest ever Colombian winner of a stage at a Grand Tour.

Rudiger Selig of Bora-Hansgrohe was second, with Trek -Segafredo’s Giacomo Nizzolo third, but only five riders managed to finish within a dozen seconds of Gaviria at the end of the 148km stage from Tortoli.

The main bunch, including overnight leader Andre Greipel of Lotto-Soudal, was led home by Caleb Ewan of Orica-Scott 13 seconds after the winner had crossed the line.

Gaviria now leads Greipel by 9 seconds at the top of the General Classification and besides taking the maglia rosa also leads the best young rider’s standings.

Following the stage, he said: “It's an enormous joy because of the work of the team. We wanted a win before the rest day, so we can enjoy the rest day tomorrow.

“All the teams knew there would be crosswinds. We were spot on at the front. My team mates' legs were very strong. They opened the gas.

“It's a beautiful victory. I was feeling sorry for my team mates because my legs weren't responding in the first two stage finishes. Now we have the win the team deserves.”

After tomorrow’s rest day to allow for the transfer to Sicily, the race resumes on Tuesday with Stage 4 to Mount Etna.