The Vuelta peloton was spending its last day in the Netherlands for this third stage before returning to the Spanish roads on Tuesday. On a completely flat course, the stage was promised to a sprinter and it was Sam Bennett who was the fastest, like the day before. The Irishman edged out Mads Pedersen and Daniel McLay. Mike Teunissen loses his leader’s jersey and leaves it to his teammate at Jumbo-Visma, Edoardo Affini.
Seven men quickly form the breakaway which will spend the majority of the stage in the lead. Among them are two Belgians, Thomas De Gendt et Jan Clients. The seven fugitives are quickly three minutes ahead of a peloton controlled by the teammates of the sprinters who checked off this last stage in the Netherlands.
If the scenario of the stage seems to leave no doubt as to the outcome of the race, the Dutch roads are proving tricky for Michael Woods. The Canadian from the Israel Premier Tech team falls after about sixty kilometers and must already abandon the Vuelta after only three stages.
The gap is falling under the impetus of the Trek-Segafredo and Alpecin-Deceuninck teams. At 20km from the finish, the breakaway only has a lead of around fifteen seconds. Moment chosen by Thomas De Gendt to get up and regain his place in the peloton.
The fugitives are caught 11km from the finish and the sprinter teams get in place to prepare for the sprint. UAE and Alpecin-Deceuninck start the sprint but Tim Merlier takes off his shoes and loses all his chances in the sprint. Sam Bennett outflanks all his opponents and proves to be the fastest to win his second stage in two days. Mads Pedersen is second. Daniel McLay complete the podium. Merlier finished sixth.
In the general classification, the red jersey changes for the third time in three days of shoulders but remains with the Jumbo-Visma team. Mike Teunissen who made a big effort to place his leaders got up and therefore leaves his red tunic to his teammate Edoardo Affini.