A significant climb – 10.4 kilometers at a 6% gradient – featured on today’s route, March 13, 2026, but its peak was located at the 33-kilometer mark of the 159-kilometer stage. The remaining 45 kilometers to the finish were largely downhill and on relatively flat terrain, with the final 5 kilometers being essentially level.
Several teams, including Euskaltel – Euskadi, Burgos Burpellet BH, Kern Pharma, and Modern Adventure, got riders into the day’s breakaway. Baptiste Veistroffer of Lotto Intermarché, currently leading both the points and mountains classifications, was also present, supported by teammate Reuben Thompson. This type of strategic positioning is common in cycling, as teams aim to gain advantages in various competitions.
The breakaway’s goal was to secure points at the first and second Category 1 climbs (at the 34 and 50-kilometer marks) and at the sprint prime (67 kilometers). They also targeted the third sprint point (115 kilometers) and, if possible, the second sprint prime at 145 kilometers. They succeeded in all objectives except the final sprint prime, being caught 32 kilometers from the finish line.
Immediately after the breakaway was reeled in, the race dynamics shifted due to a crosswind. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe) initially attacked, and Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike) joined him, with the two riders working together. UAE Emirates – XRG then took the lead in attempting to neutralize this unexpected move.
This effort resulted in bonus seconds at the sprint prime, with Evenepoel taking the most – three seconds. He also contributed the most work at the front in the closing kilometers. However, just before entering the final roundabout half a kilometer from the finish line, Evenepoel crashed!
“We knew about the risk of the crosswind. The peloton started to split. The team did a perfect job on the descent and on the wide roads where we increased the pace. That’s exactly what we wanted to do. Initially, I had some doubts, but I decided to continue with the goal of winning,” Evenepoel said. Regarding the crash, he added, “I wanted to take the handlebars from below for the sprint. Then I hit a hole in the road. It wasn’t clearly visible or marked. That threw the handlebars out of my hands. I’m still standing, thankfully, and nothing is broken.“
Vingegaard, who wasn’t actively pursuing a stage win and was looking back at the approaching peloton, was overtaken 200 meters before the finish line. Dorian Godon (INEOS Grenadiers), the overall race leader, won the stage for the second time – and convincingly – ahead of Ethan Vernon (NSN). Noah Hobbs (EF Education – EasyPost) secured third place and the remaining bonus seconds.
Jay Vine of UAE Emirates experienced misfortune during the stage. Approximately 70 kilometers from the finish, a crash involving five riders occurred, including two from UAE Emirates – XRG. While Ivo Oliveira was able to continue, Vine was forced to withdraw from the race. This setback comes after Vine won the Australian national time trial championship in January and then the Santos Tour Down Under, only to break his wrist in a collision with a kangaroo during the final stage.
“Our riders were involved in a crash 66.8 km from the finish of stage three of #VoltaCatalunya105. Vine was forced to abandon the race. Further medical updates will follow. Get well soon, Jay,” the UAE Emirates team communicated via social media.
Enric Mas (Movistar) also faced difficulties, suffering a flat tire 4.5 kilometers from the finish. He was close enough to the peloton to attempt a chase, but still within the 1.5-kilometer protection zone. Fortunately, he received assistance and limited his time loss to one minute, with no impact on his overall general classification standing.
Pavel Novak and Jan Hirt finished together, losing over eight minutes (+8:28). Their strategy may be geared towards a breakaway attempt in one of the three remaining mountain stages.
