Jakub Mareczko (Southeast) confirmed that he is the next Italian top sprinter by taking the win in the prestigious high-speed sprint on the flat third stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali. The Italian launched a powerful sprint from fourth position and easily held off Mattia Gavazzi (Amore e Vita) and Ioannis Tamouridis (Synergy Baku). Sergey Firsanov (Gazprom-Rusvelo) retained the lead.

We have gathered a few reactions.

Jakub Mareczko eyes Giro d’Italia success after first Italina victory

"We did it all in front , controlling and staying up there,” Mareczko told Tuttobiciweb.” Since this morning's meeting we had agreed that I would do the sprint and Belletti would help me. I knew the finish and knew it would be suitable for me. In the last kilometer I was in front, Manuel put was on my wheel to protect me, and I started with 200m to go

“I was afraid of Pelucchi who had the national team at his disposal. Then Chicchi, Gavazzi and Palini with whom I have had many battles abroad.

"The are so many and strong sprinters from Kittel to Gaviria 

"Only now do I realize tat it is the first in Italy. I am asked so much about it, as if the others were worthless. I dedicate it to the team and my family who came here in rich number: father and mother, grandparents. It is the first time that my grandfather Nino, 92, come to see me among the professionals. Even the family of my girlfriend is here."

"Last year I worked – I even did 18 stages in two races in China - to face a grand tour. Because the important thing, at least for me, is not to improve in the sprint, but to improve uphill to compete in the sprints.

"Now I will do the Three Days of De Panne, Scheldeprijs. Then there will be the Tour of Turkey , but maybe things will change. 

“My goal is the Giro, beginning with the first stages, the Dutch ones which are flat . I have another 40 days to improve even if the level will be higher.

"More than the sprinters, my idols are classics riders like Fabian Cancellara.”

Ioannis Tamouridis close to big win for Synergy Baku in Italy

Ioannis Tamouridis took third place in the bunch sprint ending the third stage of the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. The rest of the Synergy Baku Cycling Project squad finished safely in the peloton.

It was a typical sprint stage, which included a long break group without Synergy Baku participation. Things came back together on the difficult finishing circuit, and the Greek rider took third place behind two experienced sprinters.

Tamouridis is usually the last man in the sprint train for Maksym Averin, but the Azeri sprinter is still recovering from wounds suffered in a crash this week, leaving the way open for his teammate.

“Today I took my opportunity because Max wasn’t sprinting and yesterday I had ‘saved’ my legs by riding in the grupetto thinking ahead to today’s stage,” he said. “I knew the sprint was technical with many turns in the last 500m and the tactic was to take these turns in front.

“The team helped bring me into position and I was perfect at the last corner but Mareczko and Gavazzi are more explosive than me. For sure I am happy with the result because I am still not at my 100% of my form and I have my first podium of the year in a very important and difficult race!”

“This was a classic sprinter stage with a very technical finish,” said DS Andrej Hauptman. “We had really perfect team work today. Congrats to all the guys!”

Mikel Landa to get free role in Coppi e Bartali queen stage

Sebastian Henao and Gianni Moscon remain well positioned at Settimana Coppi e Bartali after Team Sky kept their powder dry ahead of the race's queen stage.

The pair finished day three in the midst of peloton, coming home in 26th and 27th places respectively behind winner Jakub Mareczko (Southeast - Venezuela), ahead of Sunday's hilly finale.

Those results ensured Moscon remains third on the general classification, 19 seconds behind race leader Sergey Firsanov (Gazprom-RusVelo), with Henao fifth, a further 15 seconds back. Mikel Landa meanwhile, sits 13th overall, 50 seconds behind Firsanov.

Speaking back at the bus, Sport Director Kurt-Asle Arvesen was pleased with how the guys came through the day and is confident heading into the final stage.

He said: "The sprint was very messy, so Gianni and Sebastian sat in the bunch and stayed out of trouble. They're still up there on GC and they have saved lots for tomorrow.

"We were there with big numbers on yesterday's stage, a hard, similar day, and tomorrow is certainly no easier. It's going to be a good stage - we're looking forward to it."

While Moscon and Henao are sat third and fifth overall respectively, Landa - making his way back from injury - is 13th, and can't be ruled out of contention.

Arvesen added: "Tomorrow's stage will decide everything. We will give Mikel a free role, he is improving day-by-day and is absolutely on track.

"The guys have done better than I expected. A lot of them are all coming back from long lay-offs, and it's been a good week so far."