Back at it again for the third day in a row was Andreas Leknessund, surely the neo-pro was starting to tire from the many kilometres he had spent in the break? Joining him again were Iver Johan Knotten and Joel Suter. Leading the chase from the pack were the usual trio of Drizners, Tikhonin, and O'Loughlin.

They weren't keen to let the break grow too big, and chased down multiple attacks. These came from Beukeboom, Azparren, Hollmann, Zingle, Vabo and Akhmaevi.

Leknessund is looking to extend his lead in the U25 classification before we reach the mountains. It is a rather interesting strategy, joining the breakaway to build up a lead form bonus seconds, and hoping you haven't put too many kilometres in the legs when it comes to holding on up the climbs. Not sure if it is one I would favour, but for now it is working out as the Norwegian scored another intermediate sprint victory over Suter.

The second time round the circuit ended in practically the same manner, with Leknessund again leading coming into the final kilometre, and then managing to hold off Suter to take the maximum bonus.

As we entered the final third of today's stage, the pace in the pack began to pick up and the gap to the break dropped rapidly. Taking to the front were Crabbe - CC and Glanbia Foods, back for another attempt. Sam Bennett showed yesterday that sometimes the directors' faith is repayed, but the wait for Alexander Krieger to show up was still continuing.

Winning the intermediate sprint this time round was Suter, as Leknessund's legs began to catch up with him.

Joining into the chase was HelloFresh, but really it was Crabbe - CC who dominated at the front. Their efforts were enough to begin the breakaway's destruction as Suter launched the opening salvo. It wasn't enough to dislodge Knotten, but as the third intermediate sprint had suggested Leknessund was done.

It was the Swiss rider who was first across the fourth intermediate sprint while Knotten was busy bridging his way across.

Although Leknessund was caught with 12 kilometres remaining, it would take another five before the other pair were drawn back in by the combined efforts of the aforementioned teams. This didn't leave much time for the trains to assemble.

Indeed, the pace didn't let up in the slightest throughout the final few kilometres. Anybody who wasn't in position when the catch was made had to struggle to make it up to the front. With just over 2000 metres to the line, there didn't seem to be anything resembling a leadout train forming on the television cameras.

That changed with 1500 metres remaining, as Liepins came surging up the right-hand side with Krieger stuck to his wheel. You can see them just hitting the barriers on the farside of the road, with Krieger in his NC jersey.

Nobody had seen the duo coming from a wee way back, and as such nobody was prepared to latch on to the wheel. Instead all the other sprinters were stuck staring at each other, waiting for someone else to be the first to jump.

Liepins put in an absolutely monster turn, creating a gap of multiple bikelengths within a mere handful of metres.

Vingerling and Bennett had finally got their act together, and found domestiques to keep them out of the wind. It seemed like a long day in the sun had got to the peloton, as again the others were slow to react and missed out on the opportunity to snag a wheel.

Well inside the red kite Alexander Krieger finally swung off the wheel of his Latvian leadout. Liepins had done an incredible job, and now it was just down to his sprinter to finish it off. Thankfully, Krieger had actually accelerated past his man this time out.

At the same time, the fight for third was really beginning to heat up. Oram and Tikhonin had done their jobs; the latter after an already spending the entire day on the front. They hadn't managed to close the gap to the leading duo, but they had at least got everyone moving. Losch and Ranneries had found their way on to Bennett's wheel; Avelino was already in the wind trying to make his way up the right. Marin found himself a little ways off whilst yellow jersey Keough was nowhere to be seen.

There was no doubt about it at this point, Krieger was going to take a victory off the back of an impressive leadout. All that remained to be decided was who would be joining him on the podium. His domestique Liepins still had a decent lead, but it was being rapidly closed by the encroaching pack.

Of them, Avelino was the best positioned, although he had Bennett and Losch accelerating on his inside shoulder. On the other side of the road was Vingerling, who was also moving quickly. Neither Ranneries nor Marin seemed capable of finding the extra gear necessary if they were to compete.

An excellent win for Alexander Krieger and Crabbe - CC Chevigny. Truly a team effort today! They took charge of chasing duties, kept the pace high coming into the finale, and then closed it off with an amazing leadout. Finally their hard work pays off.

Liepins has enough momentum to secure the one-two, a great reward for a great ride. It is extremely tight behind him, but Avelino's long drag to the line is enough to take the final podium spot. He is followed by Vingerling, and Losch.

A disappointing ride from Keough sees him finish 13th. That isn't good enough to hold on to the yellow jersey, which instead will be worn by Andreas Leknessund. Those efforts in the breakaway paying off for the young talent, what an excellent start to his career!

Tomorrow the first real challenge in the GC has we tackle the semi-mountains.