The 3nd stage starts in Keren the 2nd largest city in Eritrea. With a metropolitan population of about 150.000, Keren grew around the Railway from Asmara build by Italians between 1911 and 1923, the railways was destroyed during WWII and today the railway station is used as bus station and market.
We finish in the Eritrea capital, with Keren located at 1375m above sea level and Asmara at almost 2400 we are facing a hard mountain stage going up most of the time.
It is safe to say this is a decisive stage that will shake the GC, and we will for sure have a new race leader after this one.
The most interesting question will find its answer today, how much time will the best climbers, Monsalve, Kudus, Berhane, Roglič ect., gain on those stronger on the two hilly stages yet to come, that is of course mainly last year’s winner Kwiatkowski, but also Talansky and Betancourt can bounce back if they can limit losses today.
Today’s route is quite long and weather forecasts predict a brutal heat, which could be a problem for riders with low stamina and/or weak team support. Also winds at approx. 30 km/h may cause problems
Renäng makes the first move today just to be closed down immediately.
The next comes as we are in the outskirts of Keren, the move was initiated by Bissinger soon joined by Lau and Urcelay. Last to join up is Hibatullah
The breakaway has 1’18 but things haven’t settle yet, from the peloton Bernas attacks, and a bit further back also Grippo and Dina
Villella, Haddi and Keukeleire keeps the pace up and the two last escapees did not make it.
160 km left and we have a front group of 5 riders, distance 1’36”
The attacking never seems to end, this time it is KoM leader Vlasov and not unexpected at all, he probably won’t keep the jersey unless he gets points today. There is 48 KoM point today including 16 in the finish line.
The increase of pace resulting from this moves was enough to split the peloton, no issue right now they will get back soon, but it shows that you got to be on your toes with these wind speeds, in such an open terrain
Vlasov joins the breakaway with more than 5 km to the first KoM sprint.
In the peloton the pace have now settled down, Rodríguez pulling the train almost single handed.
Vlasov makes a move for the KoM from 3.3 km, Urcelay close the gap. It ends with a close sprint won by Hibatullah in front of Vlasov and Urcelay
Virtual KoM result
Vlasov
22
Chatarunga
12
Hibatullah
10
Chawchiangkuang
10
Le Gac and Barrio works on the downhill but as soon as the road starts to raise again the peloton is back on the shoulders of hard working Rodríguez
2 km to the top of the next KoM, distance 3’42 Vlasov attack again, only Lau react at first, Hibatullah though decides to close the gap, but too late. Vlasov wins the KoM in front of Lau and Urcelay
Virtual KoM result
Vlasov
28
Chatarunga
12
Hibatullah
10
Chawchiangkuang
10
122 km left, distance 3’59”
From the peloton attack over the top, it is Larsen, he need to close a 4’23 gap to get into the breakaway
Another attack, this time a rider with more potential to make a difference on the climbs, Dall'Oste, Lierse SK’s best all round leader might easily prove to be a strong option in the KoM, and also their best option for an overall best GC, if this move turns out right.
Martinez and C. Ji takes the lead of the peloton
Larsen joins the front with 4 km and Dall'Oste with 3 km to the top of the next KoM, distance at this point 3’14”
With 2km to the top Dall'Oste attacks and there is no way the others can follow a climber like him.
He takes the KoM in front of Hibatullah and Vlasov
Virtual KoM result
Vlasov
34
Hibatullah
18
Chatarunga
12
Bernas struggles a lot on this climb losing two minutes over the top, peloton at 4’37 mainly Barrio working on this climb.
On the descent the breakaway reunite except Bernas still hanging somewhere in between, but it won’t take long before the hard pace set by Dall'Oste split it again.
Over the top the situation is: Dall'Oste takes the KoM Hibatullah at 2’05” Urcelay at 3’00” Vlasov and Larsen at 3’49” Lau and Bissinger at 5’29” Bernas at 7’01”
Peloton at 8’12” (131 riders)
Virtual KoM result before the point on the finish line
Vlasov
34
Hibatullah
22
Dall'Oste
17
With 60 km left 5 riders have reunited to form the first group peloton at 3’35 Dall'Oste, Hibatullah, Urcelay, Vlasov and Larsen
Agostini and Barrio up the pace in the peloton and swallow first Bernas and then Lau and Bissinger
Larsen wins the only intermediate sprint, peloton now at 2’40”.
We have a little more than 56 km left, basically only going upwards.
Agostini, Rodríguez and McKenna pulling the bunch forward at this section.
This was never going to be a good day for race leader Bouhanni and he is now distanced in a group with other sprinters and weak climbers.
Won’t be long and then also Youth leader Krigbaum lose contact with the bunch.
33 km left
In the front group it has only been Dall'Oste working now that the slopes are often tough, the hard pace he is providing now forces Urcelay and Vlasov to let go.
From the peloton attack by Anguilet followed by Jeannesson and Rabottini.
GCN attacking with Anguilet is a debatable move, as the only suitable helper for Thibaut Pinot he may prove to be a great outpost but at the same time leaving his leader with little help.
Iberia attacking with Jeannesson might be a great move, little hope for the team in this race and this may turn out to be their only option to change that.
Netia got Michał Kwiatkowski, but with a good mix of alternative helpers why not send Rabottini out as an outpost or maybe even to get a result for himself.
The trio builds a lead of 30” fast.
Another move from the peloton, it is Ivanov and seemingly with easy he bridge the gap to the group in front of him. Could be and outpost from Andrew Talansky.
Vlasov and Urcelay are both done, they are falling back fast, soon to be swallowed by the peloton.
Hibatullah also struggling, soon caught by the strong group coming from behind and then also dropped by them.
With a little more than 20 km left 6 riders form the leading group with no one left between them and the peloton
Ndayisenga have taken over the lead in the peloton, obviously the strong climber is not only putting extra pressure on the riders in front, but also thinning out the peloton.
15 km to the top, distance 1’21”
With about 13 km left, Larsen cracks, soon over for him.
It is mainly Ivanov setting a high pace in the leading group, with 9 km left also Anguilet and Rabottini struggels and loses contact.
The pace set by Ndayisenga now very hot, peloton reduced to 43 riders and distance to the leadging group just 51”
7.5 km left, the breakaway is over, 40 riders now in the leading group.
Immediately Kwiatkowski makes a counter move, but Jeannesson although just reeled in, have power left to close it down.
The acceleration was not without effect, the peloton breaks, 24 riders survive the split. Sitting it this order: Kwiatkowski Jeannesson Ivanov Roglič Dall'Oste Kiserlovski Berhane Ndayisenga Talansky Carthy Monsalve Kudus Venter Pinot De la Cruz Bennett Augustyn Brenes Senni Signorini Shapira Garby Gilanipoor Koshevoy
Amongst the important rider caught in 2nd group is Poljanski and Ji
Ivanov must be riding with diamonds in the legs, definitely not about to give up yet, with 6 km to the top he makes another move, opening a gap of 53” over just 500 meters.
Ji attacks from the 2nd peloton, getting contact with riders falling back from the favorite group.
With 4 km to the top the situation is: Ivanov alone in front
At 47” in this order: Berhane Talansky Kwiatkowski Carthy Roglič Kudus Monsalve Kiserlovski De la Cruz Pinot Bennett Brenes Jeannesson Gilanipoor Augustyn Senni
At 1’26” Ndayisenga Garby
At 1’40” Signorini Venter Ji Dall'Oste
17 riders at 3’04
3 km left, we have seen another split in the favorite group, while Ivanov is still in the lead the distance has been melting steadily.
At 26” Berhane Kudus Kwiatkowski Carthy Roglič Monsalve
At 1’12” Talansky Kiserlovski De la Cruz Pinot Bennett Brenes Jeannesson Gilanipoor Augustyn Senni
At 1’51 Ji Ndayisenga Garby
At 2’06” Signorini Venter Dall'Oste
2.2 km to the top Ivanov caught
Carthy lost contact with the leaders.
Ji Ndayisenga and Garby, have closed up to the 2nd group
From the 2nd group Pinot attacks
Roglič now also suffering he has to let go.
Pinot moving fast passing first Carthy and then Roglič, to finally get contact with Ivanov, now sitting a little bit behind the leaders.
Monsalve accelerete only Berhane reacts
1 km left Monsalve leads in front of Berhane
At 21” Kudus and Kwiatkowski
At 47” Pinot and Ivanov
At 1’06” Roglič
At 1’21” Carthy
At 1’36” Kiserlovski
At 1’49” De la Cruz and Bennett
At 2’12 Talansky Jeannesson Ji Brenes Senni Gilanipoor Augustyn Garby Ndayisenga
At 2’54 Dall'Oste Venter Signorini
14 riders at 4’14
Monsalve wins on the summit finish near Asmara, over the last 200-300 meters banking a 12” advantage to Berhane 2nd.
Kwiatkowski wins a narrow sprint for the last podium, over Kudus 4th both at 43”
Pinot 5th and Ivanov 6th, brilliant stage from him, both at 1'47“
Roglič 7th in 1'57”
De la Cruz with a fine comeback for 8th in front of Kiserlovski 9th, both in 2’18”
Carthy rounds of top 10 in 2'36”, just ahead of Bennett coming in at 2'41”
At 3’36 Gilanipoor Ji Senni Augustyn Brenes
At 3'52 Jeannesson Talansky
This was Yonathan Monsalve first stage win in Tour of Eritrea, his best result was a rather disappointing 14th on the mountain stage back in 2016. Monsalve takes over the race lead with 20” to Natnael Berhane 2nd and 55” to Michal Kwiatkowski third
Nacer Bouhanni still leads the points and Alexander Vlasov the KoM
Merhawi Kudus took the youth with 1’53” down to Hugh Carthy
World Cycling Centre now leads the team classification.
Finally a glimpse of how the best placed punchers is positioned before we start the hills.
Tour of Eritrea 
