The third stage of the Vuelta unfolded today with a demanding 191 km race between Lousã and Castelo Branco. Lousã, a charming town nestled in the mountains of central Portugal, served as the starting point, with its lush forests and historic castles providing a scenic backdrop as the riders embarked on their journey. The route challenged the peloton with two key climbs: the Alto de Teixeira (860m, category 2) and the Alto de Alpedrinha (740m, category 4), testing their endurance on the slopes. The stage concluded in Castelo Branco, a historic city known for its medieval walls and rich heritage, where the finish line awaited the riders after a grueling day on the road.
Reverse rankings between Groves and Van Aert
In a tightly contested sprint finish, Wout van Aert of Team Visma | Lease a Bike secured victory in the third stage of the Vuelta, clocking a time of 04h 40′ 42″. The Belgian powerhouse edged out Kaden Groves of Alpecin-Deceuninck, who finished on the same time, with Jon Aberasturi Izaga of Euskaltel-Euskadi also crossing the line in 04h 40′ 42″, rounding out the top three. The stage saw Van Aert showcasing his remarkable versatility, excelling on the climbs and demonstrating his sprinting prowess to take the win.
Wout van Aert, the 29-year-old Belgian, has established himself as one of the most versatile riders in the peloton. Weighing 78 kg and standing 1.9 meters tall, Van Aert’s career has been marked by an impressive balance of sprinting, climbing, and time-trialing abilities. Since his early days with Crelan – Vastgoedservice in 2016, Van Aert has evolved into a formidable all-rounder. In the last two seasons, he has scored over 1,500 PCS points and continues to be a dominant force in the race for the general classification. His victory today adds to his already impressive palmarès, further cementing his status as a top contender in this year’s Vuelta.
Battle for best climber begins
Wout van Aert’s victory in today’s stage allows him to logically retain the red jersey, solidifying his lead in the general classification. His consistent performances, both in the time trial and the rugged stages, have made him the rider to beat in this year’s Vuelta. Meanwhile, Luis Ángel Maté of Euskaltel-Euskadi had a strong day in the mountains, strategically collecting points on the climbs of Alto de Teixeira and Alto de Alpedrinha. His efforts earned him the polka-dot jersey, marking him as the leader of the mountains classification and positioning him as a serious contender for the climber’s title in the stages to come.
Real difficulties begin
Tomorrow’s stage will be the first true test for the climbers, featuring two demanding category 1 passes that are sure to shake up the general classification. The favorites of the Vuelta, including Primož Roglič and Adam Yates, will be under close watch as they navigate the challenging ascents. This stage could see the first major moves from these GC contenders as they attempt to gain an edge. Additionally, the battle for the polka-dot jersey will heat up, with riders like Giulio Ciccone and Luis Ángel Maté likely to seize the opportunity to collect valuable points on the climbs. The stage promises to be a decisive one, setting the tone for the mountains to come.
