photo credits @ Al Ula Tou
On a wind-swept stage, Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quickstep) once again proved he was the fastest man when it came to bunched sprints. In the streets of Tayma, and after an intense battle over 180kms, the Belgian showed his class by outsprinting Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-Al Ula) and Juan-Sebastian Molano (UAE XRG). The European champion claims his second success of this AlUla Tour. Despite a puncture in the final 3kms, Tom Pidcock keeps his overall leader’s Green jersey with two days to go.
It’s hard to find a more impressive start place for a cycling race than the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Hegra. That’s indeed where the 117 riders (one non-starter: Staes) gathered together of the start iof stage 3 of the 2025 AlUla Tour. After riding on the gravel paths of Hegra through the magnificent Nabatean temples, the riders were officially unleashed just before noon.
REINDERS BATTLES FOR POINTS
At the second Intermediate Active sprint, again won by Reinders, the gap had dropped to 1’45. The front seven remained under the control of the peloton and as expected the pace picked up considerably as the wind started blowing sideways after a left-hand turn. While the pack remained bunched, the front riders started struggling and only Reinders, Ibanez Beltran and Aznar reached the bonus sprint (km 122) together where Reinders again conquered maximum points and bonus seconds. MAJKA
AND DUNBAR DROPPED
While all the escapees were finally caught at km 143, another change in direction saw the sprinter’s teams power to the front trying to create echelons. Indeed, small bunches were dropped including the likes of Rafal Majka (UAE-XRG) and fourth man overall, Eddie Dunbar (Jayco-AlUla). A group of around sixty riders remained together all the way to the finish by Tayma Fort. In the final kilometers, Green Jersey Tom Pidcock had a bit of a fright when he suffered a puncture but thankfully the Brit was in the final three kilometers and therefore was put in the same time as the winning group. And there would be more drama in the last kilometer when Eekhoff (Picnic – Post.nl) crashed.
TIM AND TOM IN COMMAND
After his impressive success on day one of the race at Al Manshyah Train Station, Tim Merlier again proved he was the man to beat in bunched sprints. The Belgian made the difference in the final straight beating Dylan Groenewegen and Juan-Sebastian Molano to the line. The European Champion captures the 52nd victory of his career and already his second this season. Thanks to his win, Merlier moves back into the leadership of the points classification and will be wearing the Red Jersey on tomorrow’s stage. Tom Pidcock remains the overall leader of the event (Green Jersey) while Adne Holter (Uno X Mobility) keeps the best young rider’s White jersey. After another busy day in the breakaway Reinders conquers the Most Active rider’s Orange jersey.
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