Molano edges closer to victory in Guangxi

Sebastian Molano came within inches of victory on stage 3 of the Tour of Guangxi with the fastman taking 2nd place behind Ethan Vernon (Israel Premier-Tech) in the lunge for the line from Jingxi to Bama (214km).

UAE Team Emirates controlled the later part of the stage with Tim Wellens and Michael Vink policing the front of the peloton and reeling in the two remaining escapees Dries de Bondt (Decathlon Ag2r) and Pepijn Reinderink (Soudal Quickstep) inside the final -10km.

Molano came from a long way back with a burst of speed but was just outmuscled on the line by Vernon who won by a sliver.

Molano : “It was a long stage with a lot of tension particularly at the start when we had the crash around kilometre 30. Unfortunately we lost one of our riders, Laengen, in that crash and he had to pull-out. Luckily he doesn’t seem too badly hurt and we hope he recovers quickly. The team did a great job to control the race. I’m happy with the result but missing the victory which I hope we can get in the coming days.”

Stage 3 results

1.Ethan Vernon (Israel Premier Tech) 4:45:04

2.Sebastian Molano (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

3.Riley Pickrell (Israel Premier Tech) s.t