For Nacer Bouhanni, the third week of the Giro d'Italia has been all about survival and yesterday he finally completed his final stage in the mountains safely within the time limit. His lead-out train is also intact and the Frenchman is ready for one final hit-out in Trieste.

Since Marcel Kittel abandoned the Giro, Nacer Bouhanni has been in a class of his own in the Giro d'Italia sprints. Due to the mountainous course, however, the Frenchman hasn't sprinted for the win since stage 10 and most of the days it has been all about survival.

Yesterday he got safely through the final big test in the mountains and with the exception of Arnaud Courteille who succumbed to the cold on Gavia and Stelvio, his teammates have also made it through to the final stage in Trieste. The Frenchman is still feeling good and is targeting a fourth stage win on the final day.

"Mission accomplished," sports director Frédéric Guesdon said. "The non-climbers of the team made the time cut without too many difficulties. Sébastien Chavanel has a bad knee, but he says that he will handle the pain and finish the Giro."

The only disappointment for the team was that Franco Pellizotti - part of the early breakaway - passed Alexandre Geniez in the overall standings. Barring any accidents, the Frenchman will finish the Italian grand tour in 13th.

"That is the disappointment of the day," Guesdon said. "Alex drops from twelfth to thirteenth place but since it doesn't cost us any points, it doesn't taint his overall performance. He has done a great Giro. Today we could not react to all attacks. We had to save our energy because tomorrow's stage is an important one."