The riders faced a demanding 159-kilometer stage, finishing on the VAM-berg. After the start in Emmen, the peloton headed toward the climb, where twelve local laps awaited them. 

A breakaway of seven riders was given some freedom by the peloton after the start. The group reached the local circuits with a two-minute advantage. The succession of ascents of the VAM-berg gradually thinned out the peloton. For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Laporte, Olav Kooij, and Julien Vermote were part of the select group with 30 kilometers remaining. 

With 30 kilometers to go, Laporte launched an attack after strong work from Vermote and Kooij. The Frenchman was joined only by Lukas Kubis. The duo cooperated well to bridge across to the breakaway, succeeding with just over ten kilometers left. Despite several attacks, the final climb of the VAM-berg proved decisive. In the uphill sprint, early escapee De Jong proved the strongest. Laporte finished second and took over the overall lead. 

“It was my goal to win today, but I also had to make the choice to go all-in for the overall classification,” Laporte said afterward. “With a few laps to go, I decided to accelerate. Julien and Olav kept a high pace in the peloton, and then it was up to me to close the gap to the front. I gave everything to go for the stage win as well, but in the end, the tank was empty. Tomorrow, the key will be to stay out of trouble in the tricky stage so I can hopefully secure the overall victory."