David Gaudu Triumphs in the Third Stage of Vuelta a España as Jonas Vingegaard Maintains Overall Leadership

Gaudu Springs to Victory in Vuelta Stage 3; Vingegaard Holds Firm

Ceres, Italy – David Gaudu of the Groupama-FDJ team delivered a stunning sprint finish to secure the win on the third stage of the Vuelta a Espana today. The Frenchman overtook a competitive field in a photo finish, while Jonas Vingegaard, the two-time Tour de France champion, expertly defended his overall lead.

Dramatic Uphill Sprint Decides Stage

The 134.6km stage, stretching from San Maurizio Canavese to Ceres, culminated in a fiercely contested uphill sprint. Gaudu, having placed third on the previous stage, demonstrated remarkable tactical awareness and power, positioning himself perfectly on the final corner. He then outpaced Danish riders Mads Pedersen and Vingegaard in the closing 50 meters to claim his third Vuelta stage win and his first since 2020.

Vingegaard secured a valuable four-second time bonus for his third-place finish. Despite Gaudu’s winning performance and the 10-second gain, Vingegaard retained the coveted red jersey, maintaining the overall lead on a tie-breaker based on finishing positions accumulated so far.

Gaudu Expresses surprise and Gratitude

Gaudu admitted his victory came as a surprise, acknowledging that Mads pedersen was widely considered the favorite for the stage. “It was a surprise, yes, as I was thinking on the bus this morning the finish was more for Pedersen,” Gaudu stated. He credited his team for their remarkable work and expressed pride in achieving the best possible start to the Vuelta.

Pidcock Remains a Contender

Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock finished 23rd on the stage and continues to hold fifth place in the General Classification. The Vuelta now prepares to transition from Italy to Spain, wiht Tuesday’s 206.7km Stage 4 presenting a challenging medium-mountain route from Susa to Voiron.

Team Visma-Lease a Bike Faces Setback

Adding to the day’s events, Visma-Lease a bike reported overnight theft of several bikes from their mechanics’ truck.Local police have initiated an investigation into the incident, which has temporarily disrupted the team’s preparations.

Vuelta a Espana: Key Stage 3 Results

Rider	team	Time
David Gaudu	Groupama-FDJ	3:28:15
Mads pedersen	Lidl-Trek	3:28:15
Jonas Vingegaard	Visma-Lease a Bike	3:28:19
Tom Pidcock	Ineos Grenadiers	3:29:02

The Vuelta a España: A past Overview

The Vuelta a España, first held in 1935, is one of cycling’s three grand Tours, alongside the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia.Known for its challenging mountain stages and passionate Spanish fans, the Vuelta consistently tests the endurance and tactical acumen of the world’s top cyclists. Recent years have seen increased international participation, elevating the competition and global viewership. Official Vuelta Website

Did You Know?

The red jersey (maillot rojo) awarded to the race leader symbolizes the passion and energy of the Spanish fans.

Pro Tip:

Grand Tour cycling success relies heavily on team support. Domestiques, or support riders, play a crucial role in protecting their team leader, controlling the pace, and providing supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Vuelta a Espana

• What is the Vuelta a Espana? The Vuelta a Espana is a multi-stage bicycle race held annually in Spain, and is one of the three Grand Tours in professional cycling.
• Who is currently leading the Vuelta a Espana? as of Stage 3, Jonas Vingegaard is the overall leader, maintaining his position thru a tie-breaker.
• What makes the Vuelta a Espana different from the Tour de France? The Vuelta is known for its steeper climbs and frequently enough more unpredictable weather conditions.
• How crucial are time bonuses in the Vuelta? Time bonuses, awarded for stage wins and high finishes, can significantly impact the General Classification.
• What is the role of domestiques in the Vuelta? Domestiques are team members who assist the team leader by controlling the pace, fetching supplies, and shielding them from wind.

what did you think of Gaudu’s surprising stage win? And do you beleive Vingegaard can maintain his lead throughout the entire race?

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What impact did David Gaudu’s stage win have on the overall Vuelta standings?

Stage 3 Recap: A Climber’s Victory

David gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) secured a stunning victory on Stage 3 of the 2025 Vuelta a España, conquering the challenging ascent to the Col de la Cruz de Linares. The stage, a mountainous 165.7km route from Soria to the finish, proved decisive for the general classification contenders. Gaudu’s powerful attack in the final kilometers left his rivals struggling, showcasing his climbing prowess.

Winning Time: Gaudu completed the stage in 4 hours, 28 minutes, and 15 seconds.

Key Climbs: the stage featured several significant climbs, including the Alto de la Sierra de Urbión and the decisive Col de la Cruz de Linares.

Breakaway Attempts: Numerous breakaway attempts were made throughout the day, but the peloton maintained a tight grip on the race, anticipating the crucial final climb.

Vingegaard Holds Firm in red Jersey

Despite a strong challenge from several GC hopefuls, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) successfully defended the red jersey, maintaining his overall lead in the Vuelta a España. While not directly contesting the stage win, vingegaard demonstrated his strength and tactical awareness, staying close to his key rivals.

Overall Standings: Vingegaard leads by 17 seconds over Enric Mas (Movistar Team).

Tactical Riding: Visma-Lease a Bike controlled the pace for much of the stage, protecting Vingegaard and neutralizing potential threats.

GC Contenders: key contenders like Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Swift-Step) and João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) remain within striking distance.

Stage 3 Analysis: Gaudu’s Masterclass

Gaudu’s victory wasn’t simply about power; it was a calculated and perfectly timed attack. He waited for the steepest gradients of the Col de la Cruz de Linares to launch his move, catching many of his rivals off guard.

Attack Timing: gaudu’s attack came with approximately 3 kilometers remaining, exploiting the fatigue of his competitors.

Climbing Technique: His efficient climbing style and ability to maintain a consistent power output proved crucial.

Rival Reactions: Enric Mas and João almeida attempted to respond, but were unable to match Gaudu’s acceleration.

Key Performances & Rider Insights

Several riders delivered noteworthy performances on Stage 3, impacting both the stage result and the overall Vuelta standings.

Enric Mas: Finished second on the stage, gaining valuable time on other GC rivals. His consistent climbing ability positions him as a serious threat.

João Almeida: Showed strong form, finishing third and solidifying his position in the top five overall.

Remco Evenepoel: Faced a challenging day, losing some time to Vingegaard and Mas. He will need to recover and demonstrate his climbing capabilities in upcoming stages.

Peloton Dynamics: The stage highlighted the importance of team support and tactical positioning, particularly on challenging mountain stages.

Looking Ahead: Stages 4 & 5 Preview

The Vuelta a España continues with Stages 4 and 5, offering different challenges for the riders.

Stage 4 (Burgos – Laguna Negra de Vinuesa): A demanding mountain stage featuring a challenging final climb to the Laguna Negra de Vinuesa. Expect further attacks from GC contenders.

Stage 5 (Logroño – Zaragoza): A flatter stage offering a chance for sprinters, but with potential for crosswinds to disrupt the race.

Race Strategy: Teams will likely focus on conserving energy during the sprint stage to prepare for the upcoming mountain challenges.

Vuelta a España: Key Terminology for Fans

Understanding the terminology used in professional cycling can enhance your viewing experience.

*GC (General Classification