Juan Ayuso put in a gutsy display to take third place on stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse which continued in Switzerland today from Tafers to Villars-sur-Ollon (143.8km).

 

The 20-year-old judged his effort well to take back time after the initial attack by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep) send alarm bells in the reduced group.

Ayuso fought back to catch and drop Evenepoel, finishing 12 seconds down on the fast finishing Mattias Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo).

 

Ayuso now sits third overall behind new race leader Skjelmose.

 

Ayuso : “I suffered at the beginning of the final climb but I started getting into a good rhythm as the climb went on. I think if the climb had been a bit longer it would have been even better as I was feeling stronger as each kilometre went by. We have to be happy with the result though because we’re still in the fight for the GC which is the main goal.”

 

Tomorrow the Tour de Suisse continues with Stage 4 from Monthey to Leukerbad (152.5km).

 

Stage 3 results

1.Mattias Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo) 3:29:14

2.Felix Gall (AG2R -Citroen) +3’’

3.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +12’’

 

General Classification after stage 3

1.Mattias Skjelmose (Trek-Segafredo) 7:36:31

2.Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quickstep) +17’’

3.Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates) +24’’