Van Aert joins battle for bunch sprint victory, but sees fellow countryman Meeus win in Norway

Jordi Meeus (BORA-hansgrohe) claimed victory in the third stage of the Tour of Norway in Egersund. In what was, at least on paper, the only stage for sprinters, he sealed the deal after a chaotic finale. Wout van Aert (Visma | Lease a Bike) also joined the fight for the stage win.

After two stages for the punchy types, day three was for the strong men. Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) and Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had already taken stage wins after their impressive efforts, while the rest of the peloton was still hungry for a first victory. This included Visma | Lease a Bike's Wout van Aert, who had fallen the previous day.

Before the start of the stage, Van Aert told VTM Nieuws that he still felt the aftereffects. "I'm still a bit stiff from my fall yesterday. Fortunately, the wounds are not too bad. Hopefully, it will be forgotten soon," said Wout van Aert before the start.

Anyway, the Belgian had some time to get back into the race. Early in the third stage, a breakaway group of lesser-known riders formed, including Brendan Rhim (Project Echelon), Eirik Vaas Aang (Norwegian selection), Matus Stocek (ATT) and Johan Ravnoj (Coop-Repsol). This move was approved of by the big teams in the peloton.

WorldTour teams join in on bunch sprint mayhem

Uno-X, BORA-hansgrohe and INEOS Grenadiers took control of the peloton, reducing the lead to thirty seconds with twenty kilometers to go. A bunch sprint in the making. About ten kilometers from the finish, all the major teams moved to the front.

With five kilometers remaining, Uno-X took charge on the final descent, where they also had the remaining breakaway riders, including the recently joined Walter Calzoni from A36.5, in their sights. Koen Bouwman of Visma | Lease a Bike ensured the last of the breakaway riders were caught.

It then seemed that Van Aert would join the sprint: the Belgian was led through the peloton by Per Strand Hagenes and ultimately chose Alexander Kristoff's wheel. The Norwegian started his sprint from afar but saw Meeus pass him on the other side to take the win. Van Aert finished fourth.

Results stage 3 Tour of Norway 2024

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