Kevin Vermaerke continued his and Team dsm-firmenich PostNL’s strong showing at the Czech Tour on day three with his second fourth place finish in as many days atop the stage’s summit finish. Once again Vermaerke left it all out there with a strong ride to make the select GC group on the final climb then putting in a big attack within the final two kilometres.
Ahead of the finale, the stage saw a large break of 15 riders go clear containing Julius van den Berg, one that spent much of the day out front before gradually thinning out as the climbing took its toll. The final catch came on the early slopes of the final climb to the line after which the pace remained high shelling riders out the rear. A few riders tried their hand to go clear but just one managed to make it stick as Thomas Gloag maintained a gap all the way to the finish with the rest of the select front group racing for second.
Vermaerke maintains fourth place on GC after stage 3 ahead of tomorrow’s final stage.
After the finish, Vermaerke commented: “It was the second mountain top finish of the race and after yesterday I had confidence in my shape but knew I needed to be a bit more patience and had to wait for that final kick. The guys really rode amazing today, everyone was working to control the race and we had Julius in the break. Combaud and Pat kept the gap to the break at about a minute and the rest of the guys really made sure I came into the final climb at the front and as fresh as possible.
“On the climb I just tried to follow until the last couple of kilometres. I tried a little attack with just over one to go – I was maybe panicking a bit because Gloag was still in front but I also saw some guys suffering and thought I could take back some of the time on GC that I lost yesterday. Then when Hirshi kicked with about 800 metres to go I couldn’t quite get on the wheel and unfortunately then just got passed on the line. Another fourth place is bitter sweet after the guys rode all day and I know I have the shape for a bit more. We’ll keep riding, keep trying and go again tomorrow.”
