Max Poole stepped up on today’s third stage in Burgos to cross the line in fourth place atop the mountain top finish of Lagunas de Neila, a result that saw him jump up to third on GC and move back into the white jersey of best young rider.
Yet again today was a controlled stage for much of the day behind an early breakaway of four riders. The peloton kept the break in check throughout the stage as the parcours covered two third category climbs before hitting the tougher 10 kilometre ascent of Alto de Rozavientos with 30 kilometres to race.
The peloton thinned but stayed intact over the top of the penultimate climb before the descent to the base of the day’s final ascent. The team positioned Poole well heading into the climb and then on the early slopes before the attacks started to fly within the closing kilometres. Poole dug deep right to the line, pacing his effort to pass riders in the last 1000m and take fourth on the day.
Following the stage, Poole said: “It was some really committed teamwork for the third day in a row from the guys. They did a super job to rally round me and bring me to the final in the best shape possible to race, which also gave me confidence going into the two final climbs. In the end it was really hard and I tried to ride how I wanted to ride and hang onto the line to give myself a chance to race for something in the TT tomorrow.”
