The 150-kilometre stage included a single categorized climb, far from the finish. Five riders formed the early breakaway of the day, but the peloton kept the gap under control, with Team Visma | Lease a Bike contributing to the chase. The yellow-and-black formation stayed at the front all day to protect both Uijtdebroeks and Graat.

In the closing kilometres, a technical run-in, complicated by a late corner, created a hectic fight for position. Still, the yellow-and-black formation stayed well to the front, after which the sprinters’ teams battled it out. All our riders crossed the line safely, while Liam Walsh proved the fastest in the sprint and claimed the stage win.

“It was a good day for us,” said sports director Sierk Jan de Haan afterwards. “We wanted to stay well positioned, so Thomas Gloag showed himself at the front briefly, but otherwise we left it mainly to the sprinters’ teams. The boys quickly found the right spot and held it, so we are satisfied. We stayed safe, even though a final kilometre on cobblestones is always tricky. Just like the previous days, the team rode very strongly, and the Development Team riders keep learning every day.”

Tomorrow will likely decide the general classification, with the queen stage of the Czech Tour coming up. “Both Tijmen and Cian are feeling good. They are in shape and really want to race tomorrow,” De Haan concluded.