Tour of the Basque Country
12:49 Espelette – 17:29 Alsasua
The Tour of the Basque Country is already in its third stage. Today Evenepoel and Vingegaard may be able to attack leader Roglic on the 2nd category climb (6.3 kilometers at 5.2%). Or is it the sprinters’ turn again? Follow it here from 12.45 pm.
Phase by phase
Evenepoel communicates with the people in the team truck. That might be about the intermediate sprint that is coming up just under 10 kilometers from the finish. Yesterday Evenepoel was already involved to grab bonus seconds.
Compact platoon
Louis Meintjes is captured by the platoon. The descent is already behind the riders. It is now completely (Basque) flat to the finish.
Soudal-Quick Step takes the lead in the short descent. Remco Evenepoel is alert in second position. Meintjes is waiting for the platoon.
Top
Louis Meintjes’ loot has arrived. He emerges first among the frenzied Basque fans.
Or does Meintjes do it for the mountain points? If he is the first to reach the top and Jousseaume does not score any points, then Meintjes and not Jousseaume will be the new leader in the mountains classification.
There is no response from the peloton. Meintjes extends his lead with 1 kilometer to go.
Modest attack
Louis Meintjes, who was already active at the start of the stage, takes his chance again. He rides away from the peloton in stocking feet. It says a lot about the pace in the group.
Primoz Roglic sits comfortably in the heart of the peloton. The fall therefore seems to become a footnote in the story of this Tour of the Basque Country.
The riders are four kilometers from the top. Jonathan Castroviejo (INEOS) sets the pace. The peloton remains compact.
Relatively quiet
There is little intention to split the peloton on the last climb of the day. This slope may not be difficult enough for that. The steepest sections (8%) are coming soon.
INEOS Grenadiers goes all out for Ethan Hayter. The Briton was poorly positioned yesterday, meaning he could not sprint. Today he gets a new chance.
Roglic returns to the peloton.
Roglic back
A good kilometer before the foot, Roglic rejoins the peloton, thanks to his teammates. If he has no physical problems, the final climb should not be a problem.
Roglic is coming. He seems to escape unscathed. It didn’t look good for the Slovenian. He had some blood on his left arm, but it also seemed to hurt mentally.
Who takes the initiative?
Within a few kilometers the riders will start at the Puerto de Lizarrusti. It is 6.7 kilometers long at 4.7%. Is there a team that wants to make it difficult for the sprinters?
It seems like there is some waiting for Roglic. Everyone rides a little more calmly at the head of the peloton. In the meantime, the Bora train comes between the support cars.
Roglic and co. approaching
Is it still possible for Roglic? An extra servant has dropped out and the chasing group seems to have found renewed courage. The difference is only 1’35”.
Decathlon-AG2R is among those running at the top of the peloton. The French team is living on a cloud after Paul Lapeira’s stage victory. Even today he is one of the favorites. Lapeira will hope for a high pace on the climb.
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Tags: LIVE Primoz Roglic crashes Basque Country leader returns time final
