Renewi Tour 2023: Teunissen wins in Geraardsbergen, Wellens new leader

foto: Cor VosMike Teunissen attacks from the lead group just before the flamme rouge. He powers to the win, while Tim Wellens finishes in second to move into the overall race lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2023 Renewi Tour

1. Mike Teunissen (nld)
2. Tim Wellens (bel) s.t.
3. Axel Zingle (lux) s.t.
4. Marc Hirschi (swi) s.t.
5. Arnaud De Lie (bel) s.t.
6. Fred Wright (gbr) s.t.
7. Florian Vermeersch (bel) s.t.
8. Matej Mohoric (slo) s.t.
9. Yves Lampaert (bel) s.t.
10. Jasper De Buyst (bel) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Tim Wellens (bel)
2. Yves Lampaert (bel) + 0.24
3. Florian Vermeersch (bel) + 0.26
4. Jasper Stuyven (bel) + 0.30
5. Fred Wright (gbr) s.t.
6. Marc Hirschi (swi) + 0.31
7. Matej Mohoric (slo) + 0.33
8. Mike Teunissen (nld) + 0.34
9. Axel Zingle (lux) + 0.36
10. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol) + 0.38

Race report
Breakaway riders Arne Marit, Łukasz Wisniowski, Olivier Le Gac, Jens Reynders, Marc Brustenga and Milan Fretin enter the hilly zone 3.30 minutes ahead of the peloton. The gap goes down fast after that. Florian Sénéchal, Mike Teunissen, Brent Van Moer, Nicolò Buratti, Stan De Wulf, Lars van den Berg, Johan Jacobs and Nils Eekhoff rejoin the front.

The leaders are caught in the run-up to the last entire climb up the Muur van Geraarsbergen. Wellens is the first rider to reach the summit. Despite a deflating tire he gains 8 seconds in the Green Kilometre. A group with Lampaert, De Lie, Teunissen, Vermeersch (Florian), Wright, Hirschi and Zingle catch Wellens after the Bosberg.

Hirschi strikes on the Denderoordberg, while Zingle, Wright and Wellens follow the move. Lampaert regains contact with Teunissen en Vermeersch in his wheel.

Birthday boy Teunissen strikes just before the flamme rouge and he powers to victory. Wellens finishes on equal time in second and Zingle in third, while the chase group also comes hoem in Teunissen’s time.

Wellens is the new GC leader in the Renewi Tour.