Team Visma | Lease a Bike started the day with bad news. In addition to the announcement that some of the team's bikes had been stolen, it was also confirmed that Axel Zingle was forced to abandon the Spanish stage race. The Frenchman was not fit enough to start after his crash in the second stage. The Dutch cycling team continued with seven riders, but encountered no problems on the third day of racing in Italy.

On the final category-four climb to Ceres, Vingegaard was well positioned by his teammates. The Dane ultimately sprinted to third place, behind compatriot Mads Pedersen and stage winner David Gaudu. “It was tough sitting on Mads’ wheel. I already knew it would be difficult to beat him. We can be satisfied with this third place and the bonification seconds that come with it”, Vingegaard says.

The wearer of the red jersey continues: “To be in the mix for the stage win two days in a row is great. Not just for me, but for the whole team. It gives us extra motivation. We’re here with a strong team and one clear goal. It’s a pity that Axel wasn’t able to start today.”

Tomorrow’s stage features three long climbs and around 3,000 metres of elevation, but ends with a flat finale. For the first time in this year’s Vuelta a España, the finish will not be in Italy, but in France. “It’s hard to make a prediction for the fourth stage. It will depend on how the race unfolds, the breakaway of the day, and the sprinters’ teams. One thing is certain, I won’t be giving up my red jersey easily”, Vingegaard concludes.