The third stage was coloured by three escapees. In the last ten kilometres, the peloton caught the last breakaway rider. The kilometres in the run-up to the final climb to Paracombe were hectic and not without danger. The speed in the peloton was high, but Team Jumbo-Visma managed to stand their ground. Porte accelerated at the start of the climb and was just ahead of the other classification riders.

Bennett was the first rider of Team Jumbo-Visma to cross the finish line. He finished in ninth place.

“It was extremely hectic in the run-up to the final climb”, team leader Addy Engels said. “We were not grouped as well as yesterday. It proved impossible due to the frenzy. Fortunately, we still managed to get George in a good position before the start of the climb. George was strong, but Porte was outstanding. It is good that he finished at five seconds in the group of classification riders.”

Bennett hopes to gain some places in the rankings in the coming days. “We knew that fighting for a good position would result in a battle at the foot of the climb. Those short efforts are not really my thing. Nevertheless, I made a good attempt. Though I had hoped for a better result. The team is strong and motivated. I hope that in the coming days I will have opportunities to move up in the rankings.”