Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) won in a bunch sprint Stage Three, with Sacha Modolo (Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale) and Sam Bennett (Bora - Hansgrohe) finished second and third respectively.
Big Start Honorary President of Big Start Israel Sylvan Adams said: "I thought we reached the pinnacle, with the team presentations and gala opening party in Jerusalem. But the time trial in Jerusalem was simply magical, as the helicopter footage of this historic and splendid city, lined with cheering fans, took it up another level.
"This race has exceeded my expectations. Israelis are the greatest fans in the world. Even the Italians told me that they hadn't seen crowds and energy like this before.
"For me, Israel has already won this race, as it afforded hundreds of millions of spectators to see our beautiful country, and feel the warmth of our people, bearing witness that Israel has a diverse, open, free and safe county. This was a Giro d'Israel, a three-day tour around our special country."
The Big Start in Israel is the first time that any of cycling’s three Grand Tour races - the Giro, the Tour de France or the Vuelta a Espana - has been held outside Europe.
Rohan Dennis (BMC Racing Team) remains the race General Classification leader, wearing the Maglia Rosa. Dennis said that the crowd “took to the race very well, it is almost as if they were a really big cycling country.”
Further details in this week's JC.
