Van Aert joins battle for bunch sprint victory, but sees fellow countryman Meeus win in Norway
Cycling
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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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024