Geraint Thomas catapulted up the standings on the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico in Italy.

The 34-year-old finished in a group of nine riders – including rival Simon Yates – that crossed the line 20 seconds adrift of stage winner Michael Woods in the uphill finish at Saturnia.

As a result, Thomas moved up from 22nd to fourth overall – 30 seconds down on Woods who took over the race leader’s jersey after two sprint stages won by Pascal Ackemann.

The Team Ineos rider is using the race – which ends on Monday – as a sharpener for next month’s Giro d’Italia when he will attempt to win the second Grad Tour of his career.

 

 

Woods outsprinted Rafał Majka (Bora-Hansgrohe) in the final kilometre after the duo broke clear of the main group atop the wall of the Poggio Murella.

Team Sunweb’s Wilco Kelderman was third, leading the chasing group home 20 seconds adrift.

“Amazing work by my team, they really pulled a lot for me. Great teamwork and I finished it, I am very happy! Teamwork makes the dreams work!”

With riders facing the Poggio Murella (1.6km at 10.7 per cent) twice on a hilly stage the General Classifications was bound for a shake-up after the sprinters had dominated the opening two flat days.

STAGE RESULT
1 – Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling) 217km in 5h19’46”, average speed 40.717kph
2 – Rafal Majka (Bora – Hansgrohe) at 1″
3 – Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) at 20″

4 Thomas same time

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1 – Michael Woods (EF Pro Cycling)
2 – Rafal Majka (Bora – Hansgrohe) at 5″
3 – Wilco Kelderman (Team Sunweb) at 26″

4 Thomas at 30″