Gaviria says Viviani deserved to win Giro d'Italia stage 3
The image of Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) on the winners' podium of stage three of the Giro d'Italia, arms clamped firmly to his sides, spoke volumes about the way he viewed this victory.
Second in the sprint and clearly beaten by Elia Viviani (Deceuninck-Quick Step), the Colombian lost no time in congratulating the Italian on his victory as they freewheeled after the line.
But then – over 30 minutes later – by which time Gaviria was in the UAE team bus having had his shower and done his post stage analysis with waiting journalists, the news broke that the jury had relegated Viviani and Gaviria was, in fact, the winner of his fifth Giro d'Italia stage.
Flanked by two hefty organisation security staff and with a grim look on his face, television images then showed the Colombian striding through the finish area en route to the winners' podium.
But when he stood on the podium, although he accepted the bouquet as stage winner and the jersey of the new points leader, Gaviria clearly had no intention of raising his arms to celebrate either achievement.
"In my opinion Elia won the stage today," Gaviria confirmed afterwards. "He was looking around to check who was coming up and his error was not intentional. For me, the winner on the road is the winner.
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