Oscar Gatto wins the third stage of the Giro di Padania 2012
Oscar Gatto bagged his third win of the 2012 season after his heroic performance during the third stage of the Giro Di Padania.
The cyclist was tested by none other than the mighty Vincenzo Nibali but he had just the right answer for his Italian competitor.
He completed the 229 kilometre pursuit to Merate in a total time of 5 hours, 51 minutes and 9 seconds and occupied the top podium spot.
Nibali finished second but took on the overall lead after the stage 3 classifications whereas, Riccardo Chiarini of Team Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela, Fabio Taborre of Team Acqua & Sapone and Sacha Modolo of Team Colnago CSF Inox secured the next three positions after the race.
Gatto launched his final attack during the 3.5 kilometre climb that led him across the finish-line just ahead of Vincenzo.
The Italian previously succeeded at the third stage of the Giro di Padania and also secured the first spot at the Giro del Veneto 2012.
The overnight general classifications leader, Sonny Colbrelli of Team Colnago-CSF Inox finished at the 12th position and has now dropped down to the fourth overall position after the overall classifications.
Nibali is in blue jersey with a convincing lead of 12 seconds over Riccardo Chiarini of Team Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela.
Oscar Gatto is further 2 seconds behind at the third spot, with Sonny Colbrelli, Domenico Pozzovivo, Enrico Battaglin, Angelo Pagani, Fabio Felline, Franco Pellizotti and Emanuele Sella occupying the next seven positions respectively.
With only two more stages to go, Vincenzo is ideally placed to claim the top spot at the Giro Di Padania 2012 final general classifications.
Top 11 finishers during the third stage of the race are as under:
1
Oscar Gatto (Ita) Farnese Vini Selle Italia
5:51:09
2
Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas – Cannondale
3
Riccardo Chiarini (Ita) Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela
0:00:13
4
Fabio Taborre (Ita) Acqua & Sapone
0:00:20
5
Sacha Modolo (Ita) Colnago - CSF Inox
6
Fabio Felline (Ita) Androni Giocattoli – Venezuela
7
Andrea Palini (Ita) Team Idea
8
Zico Waeytens (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator
9
Maximiliano Ariel Richeze (Arg) Team Nippo
10
Julian Kern (Ger) Leopard - Trek Continental Team
11
Davide Rebellin (Ita) Meridiana Kamen Team
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