The promising Belgian put in a convincing ride on the third day of the race.
The UAE Tour continued on Wednesday with the 181km stage to Jebel Jais, the 19km climb averaging 5.6% that came with the promise of reshuffling the overall standings. Jebel Jais was not just the first summit finish of the race, but also the longest climb since the start of the season, one on which many riders suffered due to the heat and the high pace pushed by some of the GC favourites’ teams at the front of the peloton, who started this ascent as one after bringing back the original breakaway of the day.
As more and more riders got dispatched, a group of 30 entered the final three kilometers, where a more important selection was made on the steepest gradient of the whole climb. Junior Lecerf was there for Soudal Quick-Step, producing a solid effort despite the stinging ramps and riding under the flamme rouge together with the rainbow jersey group. The young Belgian left everything out there as attacks started flying left and right in the last 200 meters, concluding just seven seconds behind Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), who took the win.
This result allowed the 22-year-old to make a significant leap in the general classification, which should remain unchanged until Sunday – if the crosswinds won’t decide to spice up the race in the meantime – when the bunch will tackle the slopes of the race’s other tough climb, Jebel Hafeet.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
