WOW! Lukas Meiler now third overall and leader of the combined classification after heat stage at the 84th Volta Portugal – Moran Vermeulen in eighth place overall!
Lukas Meiler now third overall and leader of the combined classification after heat stage at the 84th Volta Portugal – Moran Vermeulen in eighth place
41 (!!) degrees on the temperature display in the team car. And that on the longest section of the third stage from Sines to Loule over 192 kilometers. That meant hard work again today for the pros, but also for the support staff. Ice, ice and lots of Diana with menthol!
And it was driven extremely hard with a crosswind from the middle of the race. On the last climb eight kilometers before the finish, Colin Stüssi and Moran Vermeulen pull ahead. The overall leader has to let go. In the final sprint Stüssi positions Lukas Rüegg, but he can’t keep up – the effort today was too high.
Meiler third overall and leader of the combined classification – Vermeulen on the advance
Today’s stage winner is the Portuguese Joao Matias (CT Tavfer). Stüssi is 15th, Rüegg 17th. Lukas Meiler defends his lead in the combined ranking and moves up to third place in the overall ranking. Only four seconds behind leader Rafael Reis (Team Glassdrive). Moran Vermeulen is also working his way forward day by day. Eighth place, eight seconds behind. Bravo and chapeau to the entire team!
The fourth stage over 184 kilometers tomorrow from Estremoz to Castelo Branco. Here the first longer climbs await. The high temperatures should also be the criterion.
Result: https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2023/stage-3
Overall standings https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/volta-a-portugal/2023/stage-3-gc
Stage overview
09.08. Prologue Viseu – Viseu 3,6 Km
10.08. Stage 1 Anadia – Ourem 188.5 Km
11.08. Stage 2 Abrantes – Vila Franca de Xira 177.3 Km
12.08. Stage 3 Sines – Loule 191.8 Km
13.08. Stage 4 Estremoz – Castelo Branco 184,5 km
14.08. Stage 5 Macao – Covilha 184,3 Km
15.08. Stage 6 Penamacor – Guarda 168,5 Km
16.08. Rest day
17.08. Stage 7 Torre de Moncorvo – Montalegre 162,6 Km
18.08. Stage 8 Boticas – Fafe 146,7 Km
19.08. Stage 9 Paredes – Mondim de Basto 174,5 Km
20.08. Stage 10 Viana do Castelo – Viano do Castelo 16,3 Km
Line-up Team Vorarlberg: Lukas Rüegg, Moran Vermeulen, Lukas Meiler, Jon Knolle, Pirmin Benz, Oscar Cabedo, Colin Stüssi;
Press service Team Vorarlberg