Vuelta a Burgos 2020: Evenepoel takes GC lead at Picón Blanco

Remco Evenepoel climbs to victory in the 3rd stage of the Vuelta a Burgos. He wins atop Picón Blanco to move into the overall lead. George Bennett finishes in second and Mikel Landa in third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage Vuelta a Burgos 2020

1. Remco Evenepoel (bel)
2. George Bennett (nzl) + 0.18
3. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.32
4. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.35
5. João Almeida (por) + 0.45
6. Ben Hermans (bel) + 0.52
7. Richard Carapaz (ecu) s.t.
8. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.03
9. Joel Nicolau (spa) + 1.20
10. Mikel Nieve (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 3
1. Remco Evenepoel (bel)
2. George Bennett (nzl) + 0.18
3. Mikel Landa (spa) + 0.32
4. Esteban Chaves (col) + 0.35
5. João Almeida (por) ) + 0.45
6. Richard Carapaz (ecu) + 0.52
7. Ben Hermans (bel) s.t.
8. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.03
9. David de la Cruz (spa) + 1.33
10. Mikel Nieve (spa) + 1.35

Race report
A group of nine riders join forces early on. Edward Theuns, Nikita Stalnov, Márton Dina, Joel Nicolau, Jetse Bol, Juan Felipe Osorio, Roger Adrià, Francisco ‘Kiko’ Galván and Gotzon Martín race to a maximum lead of more than 10 minutes.

With around 50 kilometres left cross-winds split the peloton. A group with leader Großschartner, title defender Sosa, Carapaz and Majka is forced to chase. Sosa gets dropped from this chasing group, while the others make it back to the peloton. Gaudu also lost this battle.

But the chasers regain contact ahead of the fourth climb of the day, Alto de Retuerta. By then the lead of the breakaway has fallen to 3 minutes.

The lead is stable at the top and Adrià goes solo. He widens the gap and tackles the finish climb 3.30 minutes ahead of the peloton. Ben Hermans goes after the 22-year old Catalan on the early slopes, while Sosa, Gaudu and Großschartner lose contact at the back of the peloton.

Hermans does not manage to cross to the leader.

When Esteban Chaves speeds op with 2.5 kilometres to go, George Bennett and Remco Evenepoel are the only ones able to follow. They catch Arià before Evenepoel goes alone to open up a comfortable gap.

The Flemish youngster climbs to victory, while Bennett leaves Chaves behind. Landa also overhauls the Colombian to finish in third place.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2020 Vuelta a Burgos.