Spectacular as expected, maybe even more: the uphill finish of the third stage of the Giro del Trentino on dreadful Punta Veleno’s sloped splintered all the GC contenders, crowning Colnago-CSF Domenico Pozzovivo as winner after an absolutely brilliant performance. The short-sized rider from Basilicata headed clear after the first three kilometres of the terrible ascent, widening his margin on Polish Sylvester Szmyd (the closest among his chasers) up to 35”, while managing the gap until the finishing line, while also taking the leader’s jersey.

“I was really upset after yesterday’s stage outcome – Pozzovivo said -, even though I had already had some good feelings. Today everything panned out well, even though such extreme climbs are not that suited to me. Still, I found my day here in Punta Veleno, climbing constantly beyond my heart-rate threshold, and I never gave it up despite such an extreme effort. Tomorrow’s is another good stage for me, I think I have a chance to take it all.”

Damiano Cunego lived up to the good impressions gave after Wednedsay’s win in Sant’Orsola Terme, providing a good effort that led him to the third place, with a 1.12 gap that didn’t allow him to take the overall leadership, but still he sits in second position, 25” behind Colnago-CSF rider. The contest in the final stage to Passo Pordoi is still very open, and Polish Szmyd, currently third 49 seconds behind Pozzovivo, holds a very good chance as well.

“I am very happy with my display – Cunego said -. I looked at Scarponi’s position, but when I saw he couldn’t hold on I just went on to take my chances. I was supposed to save some energies for Liege, but clearly I will not. Now I am into it, I won’t back down.”

Behind Pozzovivo, Jose Rujano was one of the stage protagonists, but dropped a little in the second part, being overcome by Cunego), as was Roman Kreuziger, that tackled the ascent in a very aggressive fashion, but ended up paying the effort on distance, probably because of a bad gear choice.

Punta Veleno verdicts were pretty neat – and heavy, for someone. Green light for Rujano (4th, 1:20), Kreuziger (5th, 1:40) and, in the big picture, former leader Matthias Frank, 13th with a 2:35 gap. Higher delays for Rolland (20th, 3:41),  Gadret (24th, 4:26), and even Basso (28th, 4.54). Bad defeats for Di Luca and Scarponi, 12:15 behind (56th and 57th respectively).

It wasn’t the first good performance at Giro del Trentino by Pozzovivo, 29-year-old form Policoro, Italy: he won Pampeago’s stage in 2010, while taking third in the overall back in 2008. Punta Veleno marks his seventh career win, that could lead up to a final success after tomorrow’s last stage from Castelletto di Brenzone to Passo Pordoi (2239 metres) at the end of 177,5 km. Live TV broadcast on Raisport 2 and Eurosport from 14.30 CET. 

Results: 1) Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-Csf) km 165,50 in 4:04:06, km/h 40,625; 2) Sylvester Szmyd (Liquigas-Cannondale) +0:23"; 3) Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) a +1:12; 4) Josè Rujano Guillen (Androni Giocattoli) +1:20; 5) Roman Kreuziger (Astana Pro Team) +1:40; 6) Hubert Dupont (AG2R La Mondiale) +2:07; 7) Bartosz Huzarski (Team NetApp) +2:12; 8) Josè Serpa Serpez (Androni Giocattoli) s.t.; 9) Janez Braijkovic (Astana Pro Team) s.t.; 10) Carlos Alberto Betancur (Acqua&Sapone) +2:33.

General classification: 1) Domenico Pozzovivo (Colnago-CSF) km 329,60 in 8:20'42", km/h 39,484; 2) Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD) +0:25; 3) Sylvester Szmyd (Liquiga-Cannondale) +0:49; 4) Roman Kreuziger (Astana Pro Team) +0:50; 5) Mathias Frank (BMC Racing Team) +1:42; 6) Carlos Alberto Betancur (Acqua&Sapone) +1:47; 7) Bartosz Huzarski (Team NetApp) +1:48; 8) Josè Rujano Guillen (Androni Giocattoli-Venezuela) st; 9) Marco Pinotti (BMC Racing Team) +1:51; 10) Hubert Dupont (AG2R La Mondiale) +2:06.

Photo: Domenico Pozzovivo's outstanding win in Punta Veleno/Brenzone (Mosna)