In the longest stage of the race, the pace was high from the start. The riders completed the first hour with an average of more than fifty kilometres per hour. As a result, it took a long time before a leading group got established. In the end, eight riders broke clear with Bouwman for Team Jumbo-Visma. The Dutchman tried a solo attack in the last sixteen kilometres, but was caught on the final climb.

“Today’s scenario was similar to yesterday’s”, sports director Sierk-Jan de Haan said. “As a team, we were very active with, amongst others, Taco, who tried to be in the break. The leading group was given a maximum advantage of four minutes. Then you know that it will be difficult to fight for the stage win again. Koen was feeling good and tried a solo attack. He climbed on his own pace as much as possible and gave everything he had, but his powers slowly faded away.”