Carlijn Achtereekte coloured the finale of the third stage by riding ahead of the peloton for kilometers on her own. After the former Olympic speed skating champion was caught with five kilometres to go, the Team Visma | Lease a Bike troops put themselves at the head of the peloton. Nooijen started her sprint early and had just enough left on the challenging finish to stay ahead of the Polish rider Wilkos.

"This is super cool. I am very happy that I was able to finish today", a satisfied Nooijen said. "We rode a very active race with the team. When Carlijn attacked in the last ten kilometres, we didn't have to do much in the back. We were able to play the game well."

Nooijen knew there were chances at the finish, which was at the top of a climb. "This was a finish that suited me. I deliberately started the sprint very early, because I knew: the earlier I start the sprint, the better it is for myself. One rider came very close, but luckily I stayed just ahead of her. At first I didn't quite realise it, but now it's slowly starting to sink in. I'm very happy with it."

After winning the team time trial, Nooijen gave her team its second success of the week. Tomorrow she will start the final stage, a 13-kilometre individual time trial, in the leader's jersey. "I'm really looking forward to that. Riejanne and I are the top favorites and we will do everything we can to take home the jersey."