Belgian success in the Basque Country: Quinten Hermans takes a strong sprint stage victory, leader Roglic falls

A Belgian was also allowed to join the party in the Tour of the Basque Country. Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) made a strong sprint to the stage victory in Alsasua. Remco Evenepoel had a quiet day, but many of his competitors emerged battered from the third stage. Leader Primoz Roglic fell, as did Juan Ayuso and Carlos Rodriguez.

LOOK. Hermans’ impressive sprint

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Interesting poster in the Tour of the Basque Country, where the third stage involved some climbs. Evenepoel and other favorites such as Vingegaard are already spouting fog about a potential attack on the final climb.

Many combative riders also had their sights set on this stage, which meant that it took a while before the break of the day was formed. In the end it was a foursome, including our compatriot Tom Paquot, that received the blessing of the peloton to cycle about 90 kilometers in front of them.

Paquot held on the longest and just when he was caught, Primoz Roglic fell to the ground. A bit of a shock for the leader, who looked resigned and had to start a chase of more than 2 minutes. But with the help of teammates Sobrero and Buchmann, the Slovenian returned relatively quickly to the peloton, which seemed to keep its legs still to wait for the BORA-hansgrohe rider. No time wasted for a battered Roglic, who retained his leader’s jersey, but was left with a clearly damaged hip and elbow from his crash.

LOOK. Battered Roglic after crash

On the final climb, at about 25 kilometers, Evenepoel and co kept their legs still. Only in the intermediate sprint did the Belgian champion put his nose to the window: he stole away 3 bonus seconds and now follows Roglic at 7 seconds.

In the final kilometer the peloton was shocked by a heavy crash with classification men Ayuso and Rodriguez. But a sprint in Alsasua, where the final straight line was slightly inclined, was no longer possible. There it was a surprisingly strong Quinten Hermans who took the stage victory with a strong sprint. The Alpecin-Deceuninck rider finished ahead of Zambanini and Aranburu.

Hermans: “Team did a perfect job”

An overjoyed Quinten Hermans afterwards in the flash interview, although he mainly threw compliments at his teammates. “They did a great job. They believed in me completely. I would like to thank them very much, they put me in the perfect position. I am also at my best on a slightly sloping finish.”

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5:30 PM

Quinten Hermans wins the third stage!

Quinten Hermans wins the third stage in the Basque Country. For Edoardo Zambanini and Alex Aranburu. With Vito Braet there is a second Belgian in the top 10. Braet comes 9th.

17:29

ANOTHER 1 KM: Ayuso crash!

Juan Ayuso, UAE’s leader, is on the ground and it doesn’t look good for the Spaniard. He is back on the bike.

17:28

1 KM TO GO: Last kilometer!

The peloton prepares for a bunch sprint.

5:25 PM

ANOTHER 3 KM: The escapees have been recaptured

Oliveira, Izagirre and Soler have been taken back by the peloton.

17:21

7 KM TO GO: Three riders try to get away

Nelson Oliveira, Marc Soler and Gorka Izagirre are still trying to get away.

17:19

ANOTHER 9 KM: Intermediate sprint won by Evenepoel

Remco Evenepoel wins the intermediate sprint and takes 3 bonus seconds. He beats Jonas Vingegaard and Isaac Del Toro

17:14

ANOTHER 13 KM: The last intermediate sprint in 4 km

Another 4 km to the intermediate sprint in Etxarri-Arranatx. Quick-Step’s troops show up.

5:10 PM

ANOTHER 16 KM: Meintjes can be caught up again

Meintjes is back in the peloton. He won the mountain sprint and also took the mountain jersey.

17:08

ANOTHER 18 KM: Mountain points are for Meintjes

Louis Meintjes takes the full loot on top of the Lizarrusti. He can add 6 points to his name, he now has 12 and will therefore also start with the polka dot jersey tomorrow.

5:05 PM

ANOTHER 20 KM: Louis Meintjes goes for mountain points

Just over a kilometer from the top of the Lizarrusti, Louis Meintjes is hunting for the full loot. There are 6 points waiting for him at the top.

16:58

ANOTHER 23 KM: INEOS and Visma in the lead

INEOS and Visma-Lease a Bike are at the front of the peloton, in the service of Carlos Rodriguez and Jonas Vingegaard

4:55 PM

ANOTHER 24 KM: Last climb of the day

The peloton is on the last climb of the day. Lizarrusti is a second category climb.

16:53

ANOTHER 25 KM: Roglic back in the peloton

Leader Roglic is back in the peloton after a long chase.

16:39

ANOTHER 35 KM: Roglic has to chase

After his crash, Primoz Roglic has to chase. He has his teammates Matteo Sobrero and Emanuel Buchmann with him to guide him back to the peloton. 2’11” is his deficit.

16:36

ANOTHER 39 KM: Roglic crash!

The leader in this Tour of the Basque Country, Primoz Roglic, lies against the asphalt and has to chase.

16:33

ANOTHER 43 KM: Tom Paquot swallowed by the peloton

The last escapee was also swallowed up by the peloton, Tom Paquot tried a solo, but it was to no avail for our compatriot.

16:24

ANOTHER 47 KM: Three escapees caught by the peloton

Three of the four escapees were caught. After being on the run all day, James Fouché, Alan Jousseaume and Eric Fagundez are now back in the peloton. Our compatriot Tom Paquot remains out of the hands of the peloton.

16:13

ANOTHER 57 KM: The gap is shrinking noticeably

The leading group is losing ground. The gap to the peloton is now only 50″.

15:55

ANOTHER 67 KM: Intermediate sprint in Altsasu

James Fouché wins the intermediate sprint ahead of Tom Paquot and Alan Jousseaume.

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Tags: Belgian success Basque Country Quinten Hermans takes strong sprint stage victory leader Roglic falls Cycling