Matt Goss wins, Giro d'Italia 2012, stage three

Matthew Goss is training for the Tour de France this month at the Giro d'Italia. He is gaining experience not only in the sprints, like today's in Montecatini Terme, but in leading a team.

"He's going quite well here," Orica-GreenEdge sports director, Matt White told Cycling Weekly this morning. "He's had days where he's had to lead and he's delivered for HTC. I'm happy with what he's doing here in the Giro."

Team mechanics and staff walked around the bus, preparing bikes and equipment for the Australian team ahead of the 11th leg.

Insiders have noted that the 25-year-old Tasmanian is stepping up to assume leadership. He contributes in the daily meetings on the bus and leads on the road.

Orica hired Goss to be one of its two leaders with Simon Gerrans. In the last years with HTC-Highroad, he won Milan-San Remo and a Giro d'Italia stage.

Now, he is leading a team in a Grand Tour for the first time. It's a relatively inexperienced team, which includes debut riders Jens Keukeleire and Daryl Impey, and Jack Bobridge starting his second Grand Tour. Experienced hands, Stuart O'Grady and Simon Gerrans will come in for the Tour de France.

Today, he sat up on a climb with 10 kilometres remaining, still suffering from a crash two days ago. Goss said, "I knew wasn't happy with the hill. I made the call half-way through the stage. I like to deliver, I wasn't 100 per cent sure I'd be at the finish. I felt like rubbish, it's the second day that's the worse."

The efforts are important for the Tour de France, where he'll race for sprint wins and the green points jersey.

"I don't want to give too much away," White said, looking around for listeners. "It's no secret to beat Mark Cavendish, you have to start sprinting in front of Mark Cavendish. It's as simple as that. He's been delivered so well in the past. When he starts his sprint, he's on the front, isn't he?"

White explained that the team's resources would put into only stage wins and then the green jersey. The overall classification, he said, is not a consideration.

"We'll have the resources at the Tour de France to put into the green jersey."

Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news

Hesjedal happy with Giro performance despite losing lead

Pinotti alters Giro plans after losing time in mountains

Pozzato apologises for role in causing crash

Hesjedal has tough day as Giro leader

Schleck building form in Giro for final week in Alps

English speakers on top

Giro favourites to make move in first mountain finish

Malori will relish time in Giro lead

Sky's Giro team time trial disappointment

Phinney's terrible day sees Giro lead slip away

Teams ready for Giro's team time trial

Phinney given all-clear after Giro crash

Ferrari should be ashamed of Giro sprint, says Cavendish

Giro remembers Wouter Weylandt

Cavendish and Thomas a winning combo, says Brailsford

Geraint Thomas narrowly misses out on Giro lead

Phinney realises Giro dream

Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage

Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule

Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports

Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption

Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall

Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win

Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead

Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win

Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win

Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead

Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash

Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning

Stage one: Phinney wins time trial

Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one photo gallery

Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders

Giro d'Italia 2012 start list

Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide

Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule

Related links

Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview

Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section

 

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