Belgian Tim Merlier won the third stage of the AlUla Tour. The Soudal Quick-Step athlete overcame the Dutch Arvid de Kleijn (Tudor Pro Cycling Team) and Casper van Uden (DSM-firmenich PostNL) in the final sprint, after a stage marked by strong crosswinds. With the result, Van Uden takes the overall lead in the competition.
Side winds define stage
With 170 kilometers long, an initial escape by Luis Angel Maté (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Yuma Koishi (JCL Team Ukyo) and Polychronis Tzortzakis (Roojai Insurance), who had a five-minute lead marked the stage.
Although they had built an advantage strong crosswinds, with 25 kilometers to go, caused the peloton to split into several groups. With previously leader Søren Wærenskjold suffering a tire puncture and Dylan Groenewegen losing connection with the lead group, the sprint teams had everything they needed to compete for victory.
In the end the Soudal QuickStep, Tudor ProCycling Team and DSM Firmenich PostNL teams fought to position their leaders with Tim Merlier being victorious.
Watch the arrival
Results of the 3rd stage of the AlUla Tour 2024
AlUla Tour general classification after the 3rd stage
