Eddie Dunbar has come through the first climbing test - albeit a modest one - at Critérium du Dauphiné when he made the front group of less than 30 riders after a late climb to the finish in Chastreix-Sancy.
The Irishman seemed to get bumped around a little on the climb and slid from the top 10 on the road initially towards the back of the group. However, he's clearly in decent climbing coming back from a short racing break after his Tour de Hongrie victory.
Today the final climb witnessed plenty of attacks, though they were short-lived and did not come from the bigger names. Instead it was Jumbo Visma - specifically Jonas Vingegaard - who took it up on the front. He kept the pace high, as riders were shelled out the back door, ensuring nobody could attack from the front.
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After the Dane's work was done, Van Aert stepped up for what looked like the inevitable stage win. He sprinted for the line and looked like he had it won. However, he celebrated too early and the fast-finishing and determined David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) lunged and beat him by half a wheel.
The 25-year-old Frenchman - a very talented punchy climber - is tipped for great things in the years ahead and though he has already won big races, including two Vuelta stages, he was absolutely delighted with his victory today.
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Van Aert, having blown the work his team mates had done for him, has the consolation of going back into the yellow jersey. Yesterday's stage 2 winner, and today's race leader, Alexis Vuillermoz (TotalEnergies) was dropped on the final climb.
Van Aert now leads overall by six seconds from Gaudu, Dunbar is in 14th and is among a group of 23 riders all at 16 seconds - all having finished in the peloton on the opening three stages and not having picked up any time bonuses yet.
Tomorrow's stage is a 31.9km TT into La Bâtie d’Urfé. It should reveal the riders who will challenge for GC and whether Ineos Grenadiers, including Dunbar, can go up against Jumbo Visma in the fight for the final yellow jersey.
