After two almost flat stages, the final of today’s stage was mainly about climbing. The riders had to face some treacherous hills on the way to the finish in Vejle. After a group of six riders got a good lead from the peloton, some teams started to shake things up at 60 kilometres from the finish. This resulted in an early catch up with the six ahead. On behalf of the black-and-yellow formation, Teunissen and Rick Pluimers were alert at the front. Teunissen was in the lead once again when an elite group attacked.

A little later, Teunissen again decided to attack. The rider of Team Jumbo-Visma managed to establish a front group with Søren Kragh Andersen and Mads Pedersen. The attempt of the brave trio turned out to be in vain. Deceuninck-Quickstep did not give in and caught up with Teunissen and co. Remco Evenepoel then whizzed to the day’s victory and Teunissen finished fourth.

"We were aware that it would be a difficult final”, said the Dutchman, who is in good shape. “Our intention was to not hide and to go on the attack. The frenzy started at fifty kilometres from the finish. Together with Rick, I was able to compete with the best in that phase. Eventually I ended up in a front group of three, where I lost a lot of power. Behind us they worked well together, unfortunately, and we got caught.”

The former Tour de France number one was just recovering when the later day winner Evenepoel made his decisive attack. “When he attacked, I was trying to catch my breath. Then the bird had flown, so to speak. I did not throw in the towel. It was important to get the most out of it. Although I had hoped for more, fourth place is not a bad result. We have been in the forefront of the race. Tomorrow we will try to give everything again in the sprint with Dylan. Hopefully we will ride a good final, just like in the first days”, Teunissen concluded.