Frigo breaks through in Innichen/San Candido. Storer still in green

The Tour of the Alps continues to deliver excitement, surprises, and a cast of riders determined to defy expectations. On Wednesday, April 23, Marco Frigo became the latest to leave his mark, taking a remarkable solo victory in stage 3 – a 145.5 km effort, entirely in Südtirol/Alto Adige, from Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines to Innichen/San Candido.

Off the front since kilometer 18, and initially part of a large breakaway, Frigo made his decisive move on the climb to Untermoi/Antermoia, extending his lead on the ascent to Furkelpass/Passo Furcia and the false flat toward the Toblacher Sattel/Sella di Dobbiaco. The Israel-Premier Tech rider held firm on the Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco KOM and through the technical descent, crossing the line in Innichen/San Candido with a 19-second margin to claim his first professional win.

Among the GC contenders, the status quo held. Australia’s Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) retained the Melinda Green Jersey with composure, supported by teammate Florian Stork, who featured in the day’s breakaway.

On the Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco climb, young American Matthew Riccitello (Israel-Premier Tech) tried to shake things up, but his attack was neutralized by the green jersey group. In the sprint for the chasers, Jay Hindley (Red Bull-BORA-Hansgrohe) edged out fellow Israel-PremierTech rider Derek Gee of Canada, and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek).

FRIGO: A LIFE ON THE ATTACK

“We knew this stage could be good for a long-range move, and I was focused on making the right break,” said Frigo post-stage. “The group was large, but I was committed to trying solo if the opportunity came. Last year I lost a Vuelta stage by hesitating, and I’ve struggled with the surges in recent days. My best shot was to ride my pace solo – that suits my characteristics best.”

“I may not have a climber’s build, but I’ve got the mindset of someone who never gives up. That’s why I go well on long climbs: I can set my rhythm and grind it out. In the future, I hope to target GC in shorter stage races. I still have things to improve, but I’m on the right path.”

“Comparisons with Alessandro De Marchi? I’d be honored to follow in his footsteps. We raced together for a season – he taught me a lot. He’s not only a great rider but a great person.”

STORER: “MY BEST FORM EVER AT #TOTA”

“Today’s stage played out exactly as we planned with the team directors,” said GC leader Storer after stage 3. “It was important to save our legs for the final two stages, which will be more tactically unpredictable. We’re in a good position with our lead intact – now it’s about defending it. Personally, I think I’m in the best shape of my career. I want to make it count.”

HOW IT UNFOLDED

The race rolled out from Sterzing-Ratschings/Vipiteno-Racines at 10:30 AM and was animated from the start, with teams aggressively chasing the day’s break. After 18 km of attacks and counterattacks, Zoccarato (Polti-VisitMalta) initiated the move that eventually saw 21 riders go clear, including Kämna (Lidl-Trek), KOM leader Pickering (Bahrain Victorious), Hamilton (Picnic PostNL), Wandahl, Zwiehoff, Jasch (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), De Marchi (Jayco AlUla), August (Ineos Grenadiers), Prodhomme (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost), Frigo (Israel-Premier Tech), Stork (Tudor), Pinarello, Tarozzi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè), Zoccarato, Davide Bais, Muñoz (Polti-VisitMalta), Stehli (Team Vorarlberg), Garibbo, Raccani (JCL Team Ukyo), and Paumann (Austria).

With Stork, a teammate of GC leader Storer, just 1’09” down, Lidl-Trek led the chase, keeping the gap around 1’20” for most of the stage. Stehli and Paumann were dropped on the Untermoi/Antermoia climb, while Hugh Carthy (EF Education) bridged across to the break. It was on the final ramps of Untermoi/Antermoia that Frigo launched his solo move, passing the summit of Furkelpass/Passo Furcia with a growing lead. At the top, he had 44” on Pickering, 1’30” on a chase group including Hamilton, Wandahl, Jasch, August, Prodhomme, Carthy, Stork, Tarozzi and Raccani, and 2’30” on the Storer group.

After a first pass through the Innichen/San Candido finish, the peloton began to close the gap, reabsorbing all chasers except Frigo, who celebrated alone in the heart of Innichen/San Candido. The only notable action from the GC men’s group came from Frigo’s teammate Riccitello, but he was caught on the Vierschachberg/Monte Versciaco descent. Hindley took the sprint ahead of Gee, Ciccone, and Poole. Storer finished eighth, still in control of the GC.

The Australian leads the general classification by 41 seconds over Giulio Ciccone and Paul Seixas (Decathlon–AG2R), 45 seconds over Jai Hindley and Felix Gall, and 47 seconds over Romain Bardet (Picnic–PostNL).

TOMORROW’S FOURTH STAGE: SILLIAN - OBERTILLIACH (VIA SINNER’S HOMETOWN)

On Thursday, April 24, the Tour of the Alps departs from Sillian in Osttirol, for what’s billed by many as the queen stage, finishing in Obertilliach after 162.7 km.

After crossing back into Italy, riders will tackle the climb to Lago di Misurina. A long descent leads to the demanding Passo Sant’Antonio, followed by the more gradual Kreuzbergpass/Passo Monte Croce Comelico. The race then heads back into Austria, passing through Sexten/Sesto Pusteria – home of Tennis ATP ranking’s #1 Jannik Sinner – before a punishing finale.

The last section includes the KOM to Anras, followed by the Tessenberg climb and the Kartitscher Sattel – the latter featuring a brutal central section. Cresting 7 km from the line, the descent leads to a slightly downhill approach to the final kilometer. From just past the biathlon center, the road climbs again at 4–5% to the finish in the heart of Obertilliach.

TOUR OF THE ALPS ON TV
Stage 4 of the Tour of the Alps will be broadcast live from 13:30 to 15:30. The breakdown of the Tour of the Alps’ TV distribution is available on tourofthealps.eu

TOUR OF THE ALPS ON TV
Stage 4 of the Tour of the Alps will be broadcast live from 13:30 to 15:30. The breakdown of the Tour of the Alps’ TV distribution is available on tourofthealps.eu