May 11, 2014 (Dublin, Ireland) – Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Giant-Shimano made it 2-for-2 on another rainy, crash-laden day on Stage 3 from Armagh to Dublin, 187km besting challengers Ben Swift (Gbr) Team Sky in second and Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale – today is his 26th birthday as well similar to Canada’s Svein Tuft (Orica-GreenEdge) on Stage 1.

Five escapees were caught with about 10km to go as the rain came down and the big teams set up for the final sprint. Swift, who needed a bike change with 25km to go, got back to the front and looked good for the stage win as Kittel was initially not positioned well but the German found his speed when it counted at the line for his second Giro stage win. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge remains in pink.

Results

1. Marcel Kittel (Ger) Team Giant-Shimano
2. Ben Swift (Gbr) Team Sky
3. Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale
4. Davide Appollonio (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
5. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ.fr
6. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Team Sky
7. Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida
8. Edwin Avila (Col) Colombia
9. Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Trek Factory Racing
10. Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin Sharp

GC after Stage 3
1. Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge