Team Visma | Lease a Bike had set its sights on a place in the breakaway early in the race. Dario Belletta, who normally rides his races for the Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development Team, was part of the breakaway with four other riders and established a maximum three-minute lead.

On the final climb of the day, the quintet was caught by the peloton, where Team Visma | Lease a Bike brought Nordhagen to the front. The 19-year-old Norwegian, who like Belletta rides for the Development Team and will make the switch to the main squad next year, attacked and saw three riders go with him.

The quartet was joined by a dozen riders a little later, but everything came back together in the closing kilometers. Pedersen was allowed to take victory after just under 175 kilometres. "I am super proud of the way we rode", sports director Robert Wagner said. "Our goal was to get in the breakaway and to go for the mountain jersey. It was a battle to get into the breakaway, but in the end Dario was in it."

"On the last, steep climb, Jørgen showed that he belongs among the best four climbers in this race. He was very strong, but unfortunately everything came together. Milan and Thomas still tried in the final, but didn't have the legs anymore. I can't blame the guys, because they made the race and showed commitment."