100th Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (UCI 2.UWT) Stage 3» Canal Olimpic de Catalunya >> Vallter 2000 (203.1k)
Report translated from the Sporza website >>> Nine riders waved off the rest of the pack and went to play hide and seek. The peloton dozed off and awarded the leading group with Kamp and Arensman, among others, more than 12 minutes ahead. It was Deceuninck Quick-Step who woke up 1st. The men of leader Almeida were joined by Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers, and together they went in search of the 9 missing. The leading group arrived at the foot of the final climb with a lead of 3 minutes, but the devil was in the tail. The Vallter 2000 climb (12km at 7.5%), also known as the King of Catalonia, beckoned.
It was Alejandro Valverde who gave the starting shot in the Pyrenees. His 1st attack attempt failed, but the second time it was the right one. The Spaniard got Adam Yates and Sepp Kuss with him. The three went on a hunt for Arensman (Team DSM). The young Dutchman was the only one of the early break away from the peloton for a long time. Yates beat all his brothers-in-arms in that chase and fluttered solo to the stage win. Behind Yates, Esteban Chaves was still eating everything and everyone. The Colombian finished 2nd in front of Alejandro Valverde. Our fellow countryman Harm Vanhoucke joined the debates for the places of honor. He finished 5th behind Geraint Thomas after a fantastic final climb<<< (Dan Martin was 45th 4m45s down at the finish)
