GreenEDGE star Simon Gerrans predicts wins in Europe aren’t far off for the fledging Australian team after he was again pipped by controversial Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.
Valverde edged out Gerrans to claim the mostly flat 194km third stage of the Paris-Nice race in a bunch finish on Tuesday – his fourth stage win of the year.
The pair renewed their rivalry from January when Valverde pipped race leader Gerrans by centimetres on the Tour Down Under’s key penultimate stage at Willunga, although GreenEDGE star Gerrans had the last laugh then by winning the next day after they finished level on time.
Movistar rider Valverde, back in the peloton this year after serving a two-year doping ban, clawed back 10 seconds on Paris-Nice race leader Bradley Wiggins through bonus points to be 20 seconds behind the Briton in the overall classification.
Gerrans was in 18th place, 2m48s down on Wiggins.
“Obviously, we’re a little bit disappointed that I couldn’t quite finish it off,” Gerrans said on the GreenEdge website.
“We want a win here in Paris-Nice, but I think we’re happy enough to have had a go.
“To be so close shows we’re right up in there and in the mix of things. Wins in Europe aren’t too far away.”
Labelling Paris-Nice, the first major stage race of the season, as a “very important” race, Valverde admitted he hopes to challenge Wiggins for overall victory leading up to the finale on Sunday.
“I’m still well up in the general classification, so I’m happy. Yesterday (Monday) we had a good day and again today,” added Valverde.
“Am I surprised to win after my suspension? Yes and no.
“The important thing is to be in the required physical shape.”
Luxembourg’s Tour de France star Andy Schleck was forced to abandon the race on Tuesday morning after a bout of acute gastro-enteritis, his Radioshack team announced.
RadioShack sports director Alain Gallopin meanwhile admitted: “The outcome of this stage was plain to see before the finish.
“Everybody knew Sky would keep a tight rein on the breakaway and that Movistar would work hard to set up the win for Valverde. He’s unbeatable on this kind of finish.”
