Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick Step) won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, from Novara to Fossano of 166.3 km. After an escape attempt by Davide Ballerini, halfway through the stage the group split into three parts with the strongest sprinters remaining in front. But after a short chase, everyone comes back together.

Mikkel Honorè starts on the climb at -4km, followed by Tadej Pogacar and Geraint Thomas . The Dane immediately breaks away while the first two in the general classification are caught only a few meters from the finish line by the group. At the finish line Merlier beats Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay in the sprint.

Pogacar retains the pink jersey.

Photo Sprint Cycling

Order of arrival

1 MERLIER Tim Soudal Quick-Step 3:54:35

2 MILAN Jonathan Lidl - Trek ,,

3 GIRMAY Biniam Intermarché - Wanty ,,

4 BIERMANS Jenthe Arkéa - B&B Hotels ,,

5 ANDRESEN Tobias Lund Team dsm-firmenich PostNL ,,

6 KOOIJ Olav Team Visma | Lease a Bike,,

7 VERNON Ethan Israel - Premier Tech ,,

8 ANIOŁKOWSKI Stanisław Cofidis ,,

9 GAVIRIA Fernando Movistar Team ,,

10 DAINESE Alberto Tudor Pro Cycling Team,,

General ranking

1 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates 11:03:02

2 THOMAS Geraint INEOS Grenadiers 0:46

3 MARTÍNEZ Daniel Felipe BORA - hansgrohe 0:47

4 RUBIO Einer Movistar Team 0:56

5 UIJTDEBROEKS Cian Team Visma | Lease a Bike,,

6 LUCKY Lorenzo Astana Qazaqstan Team 1:07

7 LÓPEZ Juan Pedro Lidl - Trek 1:11

8 HIRT Jan Soudal Quick-Step 1:13

9 LUTSENKO Alexey Astana Qazaqstan Team 1:26

10 CHAVES Esteban EF Education - EasyPost ,,