Pays de la Loire Tour: Alexander Kamp sprints to first victory for three years on stage 3, moves into race lead

Alexander Kamp of Uno-X Mobility claimed a significant victory on stage 3 of the Pays de la Loire Tour, marking his first win in three years. He powered past a breakaway group on a challenging uphill finish in Sainte-Suzanne-et-Chammes, edging out Gabriele Bessega from Polti VisitMalta and Antoine L’Hote of Decathlon CMA CGM. The stage featured a demanding 199km route with rolling terrain and a punchy finale, which saw a reduced group contest the win after a series of strategic attacks in the closing kilometres. The stage unfolded with an early breakaway of six riders who established a comfortable lead for much of the race, only to be reeled in with 40km remaining as the peloton increased the pace. A subsequent counterattack was also neutralised, setting the scene for a frenetic final lap. Notably, race leader Ethan Vernon, who had won the first two stages, was dropped on the steep closing circuit, relinquishing the overall lead. Kamp’s victory propelled him into the race lead, now holding a slender two-second advantage over Bessega, with L’Hote a further two seconds behind. Tactical moves defined the finale, with Antoine L’Hote launching a late attack to gain a short-lived gap before being caught within the last 5km. The decisive moment came on the final uphill sprint, where Kamp timed his effort perfectly, coming from behind the early sprinters to claim the win. Riders such as Gorka Sorarrain and Benjamin Thomas, who led out the sprint, faded in the closing metres, underscoring Kamp’s strength and racecraft. The tight general classification, with just 14 seconds separating the top ten, promises an exciting conclusion to the race. Looking ahead, the Pays de la Loire Tour will conclude with a medium mountain stage from Brûlon to Le Mans on Friday. With Kamp now in the leader’s jersey, the final day presents a crucial opportunity for contenders to challenge for overall victory. The close time gaps suggest that aggressive racing and tactical acumen will be essential for any rider aiming to overturn the current standings in what has been a fiercely competitive event so far.