UAE Team Emirates didn’t have to wait long to get their first podium finish of the new UCI World Tour season with Filippo Ganna taking the green jersey in his third place finish at Vuelta a San Juan.

Ganna who joined UAE Team Emirates at the beginning of 2017, impressed throughout the event and although he finished outside the top 10, his performances in the seven-stage race was enough to seal third overall.

The 21-year-old, who was the overnight leader at one point, completed the race 1:11 behind overall winner Gonzalo Najar. But that was enough to get his hands on the green jersey after finishing top of the youth rankings.

Ganna was thrilled with his achievement and believes it will help him in good stead for the rest of the season.

“I can’t help but be proud of how my team took on the Vuelta a San Juan. We fought so hard, we defended the leader’s jersey as far as we could and we tried to retake it, too,” said the Italian.

“It was an honour to compete in this race. I have to be particularly satisfied with the improvement I have made over the past year and I hope that this is a good omen for the rest of the season.”

UAE Team Emirates’ riders will be back in action next week when they compete in the Dubai Tour from February 6 to 10.