Etixx - Quick-Step rider Rigoberto Uran confirmed his 3rd place overall finish at Tirreno-Adriatico on Tuesday, after a 12'01" time in the 10km Stage 7 ITT in San Benedetto.
Uran finished 31" down on Nairo Quintana (Movistar), winner of the overall. Bauke Mollema (Trek Factory Racing) finished 2nd (+18").
Uran was the top finisher for Etixx - Quick-Step in the ITT as well, placing 26th, 38" down on Stage 7 winner Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing), who finished with a time of 11 minutes and 23 seconds. Adriano Malori (Movistar) finishes 2nd, 4" down, and Vasil Kiryienka (Team Sky) placed 3rd, 9" down.
Uran positioned himself for the GC podium after a 2nd place finish in Stage 4, and a 4th place finish on the crucial Terminillo finale of Stage 5.
The 3rd place overall placing of Uran in the Tirreno-Adriatico stage race was the second UCI WorldTour overall podium placing in three days, as Michal Kwiatkowski also finished 2nd at Paris-Nice on Sunday.
"It was a beautiful week with the team," Uran said. "I think considering everything we did a good job. Tirreno-Adriatico this year was hard because of the parcours, but also weather conditions. Finishing 3rd overall at this race is something I am happy about, as Tirreno-Adriatico was the first goal of my season, the first race where I needed to be in good shape and among the protagonists. I accomplished my first goal. I'm on the podium, so I'm satisfied. I'm especially happy when comparing this result to last year when I was suffering with stomach problems and I couldn't really show myself. I've taken the first step of the season. Concerning today, I didn't perform as expected, probably also because of the fatigue of the last days. But I tried to defend myself, I gave my all in the final ITT, and I preserved my 3rd place. Even if I have to say this morning I kept an eye for maybe moving up to 2nd, during the race, when you feel you cannot go full gas, you have to reconsider your priorities and be happy with what you have. Mollema also had a strong TT today and he deserves to finish on the 2nd step of the GC podium. I want to thank my teammates for the big support I had this week. The guys were super and helped me in all the key moments. I want to thank them and dedicate this podium placing to them. Now I will go to Catalunya with a goal to do well there like I did here. For my second step in anticipation of the Giro d'Italia I pass through Catalunya, and then Tour de Romandie before the big race. I am looking forward to the next appointments to improve my condition over these upcoming few weeks."
