The third stage of The Return took place this Monday, offering a new opportunity for sprinters between Lousa and Castelo Branco. After 191 kilometers of racing, it was Wout Van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) who emerged victorious. Unlike the previous day, this time the Belgian outpaced Australian Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck) at the finish line, while Jon Abrastur (Euskaltel-Euskadi) aimed for third place. Consequently, Wout Van Aert will begin the first mountain stage wearing the Red Jersey!
Video – Wout Van Aert, winner of this 3rd stage
#LaVuelta24 After a challenging season, Wout Van Aert makes a comeback by winning the 3rd stage of #LaVuelta! The Belgian from Visma | Lease a Bike has found his way back to victory… six months later!
To be continued on https://t.co/hItDtvynN8pic.twitter.com/A2aWOSmOu7
— Cyclism’Actu (@cyclismactu) August 19, 2024
The detailed summary
Similar to the previous day, the initial pace of the race was not too fast, with familiar faces leading the pack, including Ibon Ruiz (Equipo Kern Pharma) and Luis Angel Maté (Euskaltel-Euskadi). These two were soon joined by their teammates Xabier Isasa (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Unai Iribar (Equipo Kern Pharma). Meanwhile, the teams of Visma | Lease a Bike with Wout Van Aert and Alpecin-Deceuninck with Kaden Groves maintained control over the race.
As anticipated, the last remaining members of the morning breakaway were caught in the final 20 kilometers, leading to yet another sprint finish. The teams gradually arranged themselves, and the tension escalated. With 1.8 kilometers to go, Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) launched an attack but was caught just a few hundred meters later. This allowed the Alpecin-Deceuninck team to take charge. Kaden Groves was well-positioned, but Wout Van Aert chose to initiate the sprint first, effectively closing the door (legally) on the Australian. Unfortunately for Groves, he had to maneuver past the Belgian and managed to return only to the level of Van Aert’s pedals. Demonstrating great power, Van Aert took the win in this 3rd stage, raising his arms in triumph for the first time in the Tour of Spain. Groves finished in second place, followed by Jon Abrastur (3rd, Euskaltel-Euskadi), Arne Marit (4th, Intermarché-Wanty), and Pavel Bittner (5th, Team dsm-firmenich PostNL). Thanks to the 10-second bonus for his finish, Van Aert extended his lead in the Red Jersey, but all standings will reset to zero on Tuesday with the first mountain stage.
Tour of Spain – Stage 3 classification
Tour of Spain – Provisional general classification after the 3rd stage
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<h1 style="font-size:28px; text-align:center;">Wout Van Aert Triumphs in Stage 3 of La Vuelta 2024</h1>
<p>This Monday marked the third stage of <strong>The Return</strong> with an exciting showdown for the sprinters nestled between Lousa and Castelo Branco. Covering 191 kilometers of racing, the stage concluded with a spectacular victory for <strong>Wout Van Aert</strong> from Visma | Lease a Bike. In a thrilling finish, Van Aert claimed victory over the Australian sprinter, <strong>Kaden Groves</strong> from Alpecin-Deceuninck, while <strong>Jon Abrastur</strong> from Euskaltel-Euskadi aimed for a spot on the podium. As a result of this performance, Wout Van Aert donned the Red Jersey heading into the first mountain stage.</p>
<h2 style="font-size:22px;text-transform:none;">Video - Wout Van Aert, Winner of Stage 3</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" style="width:100%!important;max-width:550px!important;min-width:250px;height:500px;">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fr"><a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaVuelta24?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaVuelta24</a> After a difficult season, Wout Van Aert takes off again by winning the 3rd stage of <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LaVuelta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LaVuelta</a>! The Belgian from Visma | Lease a Bike has found the path to victory... 6 months later!</p>
<p>To be continued on <a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/hItDtvynN8">https://t.co/hItDtvynN8</a><a target="_blank" href="https://t.co/A2aWOSmOu7">pic.twitter.com/A2aWOSmOu7</a></p>
— Cyclism'Actu (@cyclismactu) <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/cyclismactu/status/1825565525218603510?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2024</a>
</blockquote>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Detailed Summary of Stage 3</span></h3>
<p>Similar to the previous day, the pace at the beginning of this race was moderate. The lead group once again featured familiar faces, namely <strong>Ibon Ruiz</strong> (Equipo Kern Pharma) and <strong>Luis Angel Maté</strong> (Euskaltel-Euskadi). These two riders were later joined by their teammates <strong>Xabier Isasa</strong> (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and <strong>Unai Iribar</strong> (Equipo Kern Pharma). Meanwhile, the teams of <strong>Wout Van Aert</strong> (Visma | Lease a Bike) and <strong>Kaden Groves</strong> (Alpecin-Deceuninck) kept the race under control.</p>
<p>As anticipated, the last remnants of the morning breakaway were reeled in during the final 20 kilometers, setting the stage for yet another sprint finish. The tension intensified as the respective teams prepared for a showdown. With 1.8 kilometers remaining, <strong>Victor Campenaerts</strong> (Lotto Dstny) attempted a daring move but was caught shortly after. The Alpecin-Deceuninck squad took charge, placing Groves in a prime position. However, Van Aert made the first move, effectively blocking Groves and forcing him to maneuver around him. Despite Groves' powerful efforts, he could not regain his pace, allowing Van Aert to surge ahead and claim victory in this exhilarating 3rd stage.</p>
<h3>Top Finishers of Stage 3</h3>
<table class="wp-block-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Rider</th>
<th>Team</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Wout Van Aert</td>
<td>Visma | Lease a Bike</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Kaden Groves</td>
<td>Alpecin-Deceuninck</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Jon Abrastur</td>
<td>Euskaltel-Euskadi</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Arne Marit</td>
<td>Intermarché-Wanty</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Pavel Bittner</td>
<td>Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="clear:both;padding-top:20px;">Tour of Spain - Stage 3 Classification</h2>
<p>With this hard-earned victory, Wout Van Aert extends his lead in the overall standings by earning a 10-second time bonus, pushing him further ahead in the Red Jersey race. As the riders prepare for the first mountain stage, the competition is expected to intensify, with climbers eager to make their mark.</p>
<h2 style="clear:both;padding-top:20px;">Provisional General Classification After Stage 3</h2>
<table class="wp-block-table">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Position</th>
<th>Rider</th>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Time Gap</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1</td>
<td>Wout Van Aert</td>
<td>Visma | Lease a Bike</td>
<td>—</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2</td>
<td>Kaden Groves</td>
<td>Alpecin-Deceuninck</td>
<td>+10s</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3</td>
<td>Jon Abrastur</td>
<td>Euskaltel-Euskadi</td>
<td>+15s</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4</td>
<td>Arne Marit</td>
<td>Intermarché-Wanty</td>
<td>+20s</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5</td>
<td>Pavel Bittner</td>
<td>Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL</td>
<td>+25s</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;">What Lies Ahead</h2>
<p>With Van Aert wearing the Red Jersey and ready to face the challengers in the upcoming mountain stage, the excitement around <strong>La Vuelta 2024</strong> continues to grow. This thrilling competition promises to test the limits of each rider and showcase the true spirit of cycling.</p>
<h2 style="padding-top:20px;">Fan Reactions to the Thrilling Stage 3</h2>
<p>The victory of Wout Van Aert ignited a wave of exuberance across social media platforms, with fans rejoicing over his remarkable performance. Users expressed admiration for his tenacity and highlighted the fierce competition that characterized the stage. As we eagerly anticipate the mountain stages, cycling enthusiasts continue to share their analyses and predictions about the race dynamics in the coming days.</p>
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