After taking second in the first sprint stage of the Giro d'Italia, Nacer Bouhanni had hoped to do better in yesterday's third stage of the race. However, the Frenchman was poorly positioned in the finale and so could only manage 5th.

Nacer Bouhanni has entered this year's Giro d'Italia with big ambitions. Having come close to his first grand tour stage win 12 months ago, the Frenchman wants to open his account in this year's race.

On Saturday he got his race off to a promising start when he found himself in excellent position in the final turn, and sprinted to a fine second behind the almost unbeatable Marcel Kittel. Today the finale was even more technical which suited the Frenchman perfectly but this time he had less luck.

When the peloton entered the final turns just before the flamme rouge, Bouhanni found himself too far and at that point it was too late to move up. He spent some energy fighting against Roberto Ferrari for Kittel's wheel and when he finally launched his sprint, he proved his speed by passing several riders before crossing the line in 5th.

"Once again, the weather conditions have greatly influenced the race," sports director Martial Gayant said. "There were crashes that we escaped and it was still very nervous when the riders turned into a headwind 15 kilometers from the finish. 

"In the streets of Dublin, it was a bit difficult but Team Sky, with Boasson Hagen bringing Ben Swift forward, were not far from creating a surprise. Kittel, who was just behind Nacer 500 metres from the line, managed to catch Swift and pass him in the final metres. 

"Nacer was a little bit too far at the flamme rouge, but he managed to pass some riders to take fifth place. We will leave Ireland with this result. 

"The bikes will make the trip by plane tonight and will be received in Bari by our staff that is already there. For our part, we will be traveling with the riders Monday morning. They will have the time to have a short ride later in the day in the day before the competition resumes on Tuesday."