As it happened: Breakaway comes out on top at stage 3 of Itzulia Basque Country

Axel Laurance of INEOS Grenadiers claimed victory in a dramatic stage 3 of the Itzulia Basque Country, out-sprinting Igor Arrieta from UAE Team Emirates-XRG in a two-man breakaway finish. The stage covered 140 kilometres featuring multiple climbs but no decisive summit, which contributed to the unpredictability of the race. Laurance’s win marks his first World Tour level triumph this season and the second of his career, underscoring a strong start for both the rider and his team, who have now amassed 16 wins this year. The race unfolded with a breakaway that managed to hold off the peloton, culminating in a tense duel between Laurance and Arrieta in the closing metres. Arrieta launched an early sprint around 300 metres from the finish but was unable to sustain the effort, allowing Laurance to overtake him right on the line. Behind them, Eritrean rider Natnael Tesfatsion secured third place after a chase group effort, while the general classification contenders finished together with no significant time gaps, maintaining the existing top ten standings. A notable development during the stage was the withdrawal of Mexican rider Isaac Del Toro following a crash, a setback for the young talent in the race. Meanwhile, several jersey competitions saw shifts: Joan Bou retained the King of the Mountains lead by a narrow margin over Arrieta, who gained valuable points; Laurance will don the green points jersey for the next stage, while Paul Seixas continues in the yellow leader’s jersey. Markel Beloki will wear the white young rider’s jersey, highlighting the ongoing battles within the classifications. Looking ahead, the upcoming stages promise further excitement given the challenging terrain and the absence of a singularly decisive climb, which often favours opportunistic riders like Laurance. The unpredictable nature of the Itzulia Basque Country means that while Laurance may find it difficult to repeat his success immediately, the race remains wide open. Fans and teams alike will be keen to see how the competition evolves, particularly with the general classification still very much in contention.