Ramunas Navardauskus moves into overall lead at Vuelta a San Juan after time trial victory
Bahrain-Merida rider Ramunas Navardauskus takes the team's first ever victory, as he wins the time trial stage in the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina

Bahrain-Merida's Ramunas Navardauskus has moved into the overall lead at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina after winning the 11.9-kilometre individual time trial on stage three.
The three-time former Lithuanian national time trial champion produced an excellent performance on the flat course around San Juan, claiming Bahrain-Merida's first ever victory.
Navardauskus won the stage by a slender three seconds over Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), with Mollema's team-mate Matthias Brändle finishing third only a fraction of a second ahead of Frenchman Remi Cavagna, riding in his first professional race.
Previous overall leader Elia Viviani, riding for the Italian national team, was never expected to hold onto the leader's jersey, finishing 35 seconds down in 14th place.
Viviani finished in the same time as Navardauskus's team-mate and pre-race favourite Vincenzo Nibali, who will now have to perform well on the summit finish on stage five to overcome Bauke Mollema, not to mention highly motivated local riders, for the overall title.
>>> Vincenzo Nibali: It’s difficult to fail at the Tour when you have a budget like Team Sky
Riders used their regular road bikes – some equipped with clip-on tri bars and rear disc wheels – as the rules stipulated that specialist time trial bikes could not be used. However, riders could still benefit from using aero helmets and TT skinsuits.
Thursday's stage four is another flat one, starting and finishing in San Martin, before the race is likely to be decided on the summit finish to Alto Colorado on stage five.
Results
Vuelta a San Juan 2017, stage three: San Juan to San Juan, 11.9km ITT
1. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Bahrain-Merida, in 14-03
2. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo, at 3 secs
3. Matthias Brändle (Aut) Trek-Segafredo, at 7 secs
4. Rémi Cavagna (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, at 7 secs
5. Walter Vargas (Col) Medellin-Inder, at 17 secs
6. Sebastian Trillini (Arg) Italomat-dogo, at 19 secs
7. Oscar Sevilla (Esp) Medellin-Inder, at 19 secs
8. Laureano Rosas (Arg) Argentina, at 21 secs
9. Ricardo Escuela (Arg) Agrupacion Virgen De Fatima, at 32 secs
10. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Bahrain-Merida, at 32 secs
Other
13. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Bahrain-Merida, at 35 secs
14. Elia Viviani (Ita) Italy, at 35 secs
General classification after stage three
1. Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Bahrain-Merida, in 6-22-27
2. Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek-Segafredo, at 3 secs
3. Matthias Brändle (Aut) Trek-Segafredo, at 7 secs
4. Rémi Cavagna (Fra) Quick-Step Floors, at 7 secs
5. Sebastian Trillini (Arg) Italomat-dogo, at 19 secs
6. Oscar Sevilla (Esp) Medellin-Inder, at 19 secs
7. Laureano Rosas (Arg) Argentina, at 21 secs
8. Elia Viviani (Ita) Italy, at 35 secs
9. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick-Step Floors, at 29 secs
10. Ricardo Escuela (Arg) Agrupacion Virgen De Fatima, at 32 secs
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Is the bike industry divided over new tire and wheel rim-size regulations?
New recommendations have created a split within the world's tyre and rim organisation
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
British bike company Planet X saved after sale to private equity firm
Yorkshire company's 33 employees transferred to new owners following seven week sale process
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Matej Mohorič considering using a dropper seatpost for Strade Bianche
The Bahrain Victorious star won Milan-San Remo in 2022 with the help of a dropper post
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Phil Bauhaus outsprints Caleb Ewan to win stage one of Tour Down Under
The German recovered from an earlier crash to beat Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint
By Sophie Smith • Published
-
Wright on Fire: Fred Wright on his breakthrough year, almost winning, and Primož Roglič
The young Bahrain-Victorious rider is one of the hottest properties in the peloton. All he needs now is a victory.
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Once in a lifetime': Matej Mohorič on his stunning Milan-San Remo victory in 2022
The dropper post, the daredevil descending, and the Monument win
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Matej Mohorič: ‘Fred Wright can win a monument... it’s just a question of time’
Milan-San Remo champion says that Wright has proved that he could win a monument in the future
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Bahrain Victorious still in the dark over ongoing anti-doping investigation
Spokesperson for team says that state-backed team ‘yet to receive any information regarding the investigation’
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Europol ends Bahrain Victorious anti-doping investigation
Spokesperson for the European law enforcement agency says "operational phase of the coordinated action against the use of prohibited substances is over"
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Sonny Colbrelli officially retires, months after cardiac arrhythmia scare
Former Paris-Roubaix winner speaks of "second chance", as he steps back from pro cycling
By Adam Becket • Published