Bob Jungels: We knew there were crosswinds coming and we just surprised them

Bob Jungels says that Quick-Step's surprise full-force effort delivered the win for team-mate Fernando Gaviria in the Giro d'Italia's wind-ravaged stage three to Cagliari today.

Jungels’s charge drove clear a move with six other Quick-Step riders, minus only Eros Capecchi and Pieter Serry, at less than 10 kilometres to race.

Colombian Gaviria, 22-years-old and riding his first Grand Tour, finished off their work with a stage win and took the leader's pink jersey.

In Luxembourg’s national champion blue, white and red jersey, Jungles arrived to the Quick-Step team bus with a smile. The team greeted him with cheers and hugs.

"An attack like that is pretty hard to plan, we knew that we had cross-wind in that section and of course, we are known for these actions, but it was really an intention," Jungels said.

"I was a little far behind, just passed the bunch on the right side and the guys just followed me and it was full gas to the finish. And it could've have gone any better.

"We had [sports director Davide] Bramati in the radio the whole time to say pay attention. We knew there was something coming, and it was just an intention and we went full-gas."

The winning group finished 13 seconds ahead of the group behind led by Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott).

Sky's Geraint Thomas just missed the move with mostly power-men and sprinters. André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal), stage two winner and overnight leader, made the move but seemed to have touched wheels and lost his chain so he could not follow.

"Of course everyone was attentive. In situations like this I don't want to say we have more power, but we just surprised them. The first two or three seconds count when you put the power down and then we had the advantage," Jungles said.

"A big win? Of course, you can here it in the bus behind me. I'm really happy as well. We showed our spirit of the team and that's most important."

Bramati climbed out of the white and blue Quick-Step team car and yelled again, his voice hoarse from the excitement.

"The team won today, the team was so strong," Bramati said. "Bob above all and Fernando finished it. He'd just arrived from Colombia before the Giro and is still suffering. Even at one point, Fernando was pulling. I told him not to pull, save yourself.

"Jungels works for the team, this is his win, and all the team of youngsters. We have three riders in their first year doing their Giro – Gaviria, Martinelli and De Plus – so these are the right emotions."