This 20th edition of Renewi Tour Undoubtedly played this Friday, on the occasion of the 3rd stage and queen step between Aalter and Geraardsbergen (181 km). And it's the big favorite of the day Mathieu van der Poel Who won! At the attack very far from the arrival, the Dutchman of the training Alpecin-DECEUNINCK fought a great battle with Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG) et Arnaud de Lie (Lotto), before beating them in the final sprint. The latter finished 2nd, in the wheel of MVDPand seizes the leader's leader's jersey.
VIDEO – The day before, Olav Kooij had won the 2nd stage
The summary
In the first kilometers, a breakaway of 11 runners with Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Jensen Plowright (Alpecin-DECEUNINCK), Laurenz Rex (Intermarché-Wanty), Matevz Govekar (Bahrain Victorious), Filip Maciejuk (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), Johan Jacobs (Movistar), Max Walscheid (Jayco simple), Aaron Gate (XDs asa), Ceriel Desal (Wagner Bazin), Petr Clement (Tudor) et Edoardo Affini (Visma | lease a bike). But the race really launches 110 kilometers from arrival when approaching the first difficulties. And 96 terminals of the line, in the Berg Ten Houte, Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) launches a first border, only followed by Maxim van Gils (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe). But the peloton is organized behind and the two fugitives are taken up 25 kilometers further, at the foot of the first pass of the Grammont wall. It accelerates again and the race really explodes, with 11 men who extricate from the peloton with again Van der Poelbut also Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates XRG), Fred Wright, Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious), Thibau Nys, Mathias Vacek (Lidl-trek), Alberto Bettiol (Lotto), Stan Dewulf (Decathlon AG2R), Axel Laurance (INEOS Grenadiers) et Arnaud de Lie (Lotto). This group joins the breakaway. What remains of the peloton does not point to, but the strongest are at the front.
The race explodes again 34 kilometers from the finish, in the 2nd pass of the Grammont wall. Mathieu van der Poel, Tim Wellens et Arnaud de Lie let go of their companions. Four runners are not far behind, in the presence ofAlberto Bettiol, Stan Dewulf, Fred Wright et Tibor Del Grosso. In the following difficulty, the Bosberg, MVDP distance his two companions, before waiting for them a few kilometers later. The three men collaborate well together and will compete for the win in the streets of Geraardsbergen, with the last 500 meters in climb and paved. Arnaud de Lie launches the sprint from afar, Van der Poel follows, while Wellens is quickly distant. De Lie holds well but is overflowed by Van der Poel in the last 150 meters. MVDP The stage therefore offers itself, while De Lie Take the head of the general classification, a small second in front of the Dutchman.
