The third stage of the 18th Czech Tour was won by overall classification leader, 20-year-old American Andrew August of Netcompany INEOS. On the climb to the iconic Dlouhé stráně, Friday's scenario repeated itself as August once again defeated Italy's Alessandro Fancellu in a final sprint. Before the start in Pardubice, the entire peloton, led by the riders of NSN, paid tribute to the memory of 19-year-old British rider Finlay Tarling, who tragically passed away.
The Pardubice start of the third stage was marked by a solemn atmosphere. Following yesterday's news of the death of Finlay Tarling from the NSN Development Team at the Tour of Portugal, the entire peloton gathered for a minute of silence. Team NSN took the place of honor directly on the start line, with its cyclists wearing black armbands.
The 162-kilometer stage from Pardubice finished at the upper reservoir of the Dlouhé stráně pumping power station. The final 13.2-kilometer climb from Kouty nad Desnou, with an average gradient of 5.4%, traditionally represents one of the toughest tests of the entire Czech Tour.
Attacks began shortly after the start. A six-rider group eventually fought its way into a long, day-long breakaway, including two riders from domestic teams: Dominik Neuman (ATT Investments) and Josef Černý (Kasper crypto4me), who logged a remarkable 803rd racing day of his career today. The group was completed by Samuel Boardman (Modern Adventure Pro Cycling), Nolan Huysmans (Team Flanders - Baloise), Filippo Ridolfo (Team Novo Nordisk), and Romet Pajur (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe Rookies).
It was Estonia's Pajur who put in an impressive performance at the intermediate sprint in Lanškroun. The longest-lasting breakaway rider against the peloton was Belgian Kamiel Bonneu of Team Solution Tech Nippo Rali, who forged ahead later in the day, but was caught by the main group of favorites less than two kilometers from the summit of Dlouhé stráně.
The final phase of the stage was dictated by Netcompany INEOS, who expertly controlled the pace throughout and safely delivered their leader Andrew August into position for the final attack. In a dramatic final few hundred meters, August accelerated three times, and just like yesterday on Ještěd, only Italy's Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) could match his pace. However, the American found more power and claimed his second consecutive stage victory. Experienced 43-year-old Italian climber Domenico Pozzovivo of Solution Tech Nippo Rali crossed the line in third, moving up to the same position in the general classification.
"It's great to hold onto the yellow jersey, but it's even better to win the stage. It was similar to yesterday. The climb was tough today, but on both days it came down to the final meters," commented Andrew August on his triumph, as he also continues to lead the young rider classification. "The biggest threat to me remains Alessandro Fancellu, who was second both today and yesterday. There isn't a big gap between us; we're at about the same level. Tomorrow, I expect the same battle," predicted the young American talent.
Among the Czech contenders, Václav Ježek (Kasper crypto4me) performed best on Dlouhé stráně. He crossed the finish line in an excellent fourth place and jumped to seventh in the general classification, confirming his position as the current top Czech rider in the peloton.
In Sunday's final stage, the peloton will ride from Kroměříž to Pustevny.
General Classification (After Stage 3):
- Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS) 11:26:02
- Alessandro Fancellu (MBH Bank CSB Telecom Fort) +0:11
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Solution Tech Nippo Rali) +0:23 ...
- Václav Ježek (Kasper crypto4me) +0:52
Jersey Holders After Stage 3:
- Yellow Jersey (Overall Leader): Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS)
- Green Jersey (Points Classification): Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS)
- White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Andrew August (Netcompany INEOS)
- Polka-Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Michal Schuran (Team United Shipping)
- Red Jersey (Best Czech Rider): Václav Ježek (Kasper crypto4me)
- Most Aggressive Rider: Kamiel Bonneu (Solution Tech Nippo Rali)
This year's Czech Tour is photographed by Jan Brychta, Markéta Navrátilová, and Barbora Reichová.
