Our neo-pro animated stage 3 of the Tour de Wallonie for almost 100 kilometers.
Despite losing both Julian Alaphilippe – who didn’t take the start after testing positive for Covid-19 – and Iljo Keisse, the Wolfpack remained active at the Tour de Wallonie, whose stage 3 running between Visé and Rochefort was one that favoured the attackers, but also the sprinters carrying some punch, as the finish came after an uphill drag to the line.
Following a nervous start, which witnessed the peloton getting split into small groups, numerous riders trying to go in the breakaway and average speeds of more than 48km/h, things calmed down after some 80-odd kilometers and the regrouped bunch allowed seven men to zip clear. Among them was also Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl’s neo-pro Stan Van Tricht, who impressed with the sheer amount of work he put in at the front, helping the move stay clear until inside 20 kilometers to go.
Once they got reeled in, the sprinters’ teams took brought their men in position for the finale, which turned even more hectic after one rider managed to get away and build a 15-second lead for the last four kilometers. With 500 meters to go, the chasers managed to bring him back and the stage concluded in a mass sprint, won by Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Soudal). Davide Ballerini, who is making his first appearance here since the National Championships, concluded the day as the team’s best-placed rider.
Photo credit: ©Luc Claessen / Getty Images
