Archie Ryan fights hard for seconds ahead of big finale in Germany | Video

Jonathan Milan wins again, but Ireland's Archie Ryan was in the fight in the final and has a better chance, on harder terrain, tomorrow

The final of today's stage 3 at Lidl Deutschland Tour (2.Pro) may not have been hard enough to allow Archie Ryan (EF Education-EasyPost) go on the attack looking for the time he needed to take the leader's jersey.

But that didn't stop the Irish climber getting into the think of the action on the front on the final finishing circuit as he looked to protect his general classification position ahead of a much better chance tomorrow on the last stage.

At the end of today's stage - some 211.1km from Schwäbisch Gmünd to Villingen-Schwenningen - it was the familiar sight of Jonathan Milan claiming victory, his 3rd win of the race ensuring Lidl Trek has won all four stages so far.

However, that stage outcome does not tell the full story of the stage, and Lidl Trek are also not guaranteed to keep their winning run going tomorrow, especially with terrain close to the finish that really suits Ireland's Ryan.

Advertisement

Though today's stage was a tough one - with 3,200 metres of elevation gain - it was perhaps more controlled than the profile would have suggested. An early breakaway gain six minutes minutes, with teams like Lidl Trek, of race leader Mads Pedersen, and Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe riding on the front of the bunch in pursuit of the breakaway.

Up front were: Jørgen Nordhagen (Visma-Lease a Bike), Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Wanty), Marius Mayrhofer (Tudo Pro Cycling), and Mattéo Vercher (TotalEnergies) and Dawit Yemane (Team Bike Aid). They last of them were caught with just over 10km to go.

That ensured the general classification men could contest the bonus sprint for a maximum three seconds on the finish line before the riders went out for one last 8km lap. Just before the sprint, Ryan - who for the most part kept his powder dry today - went for broke on the front.

It appeared he may be trying to get away to take the time bonus or, more likely, to lead out his team mates for it in a bid to ensure the seconds did not go to one of his general classification rivals. However, the sprint, and three seconds, was take by Danny van Poppel (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe), with Ryan's team mate Sean Flynn 3rd, and taking one second.

After that, the remains of the main field stayed together, despite a volley of late attacks. Pedersen then led-out Milan, who won the stage from a very fast-finishing Max Kanter (Astana Qazaqstan Team). Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe).

Related News

Because the stage came down to a bunch sprint, there was no change at the top of the general classification. Pedersen continues to lead the race by 12 seconds from Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility).

However, thanks to his time bonus today, van Poppel has jumped three places into 4rd. That has pushed Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) and Ireland's Ryan each down one place, to 4th and 5th, though both are still 21 seconds off the race lead, as they were this morning.

Ryan has a chance tomorrow to improve on his position and maybe even win the race - though Pedersen will be hard to dislodge from the leader's jersey - on the final 182.7km stage from Annweiler am Trifels to Saarbrücken.

Though the hardest climbs come early in the stage, there is a small finishing circuit to be raced twice, with a 1km climb, at six per cent, located 5km from the finish. There is a time bonus sprint at the top of the climb on the second passage and that could prove a springboard for Ryan to have an all-in glory or bust attack.

Related News