A brilliant finisher's move by 20-year-old Dutch talent Jürgen Zomermaand. On the shores of Lake Kivu, the Dutchman outsmarts everyone and claims the third stage of the Tour du Rwanda, characterized by a thrilling finale. From the impressive action of Belgian Marivoet to the performance of Eritrean Nahom Zeray, representing his national team and an excellent prospect with Ukyo. And then from the dozen breakaway riders emerged Zomermaand, who took both the stage and the jersey. Under beautiful sunshine that dispelled rain concerns, the stage featured significant elevation changes. The crowd at the finish line, extraordinary yet familiar at the same time.

THE RACE. The route goes from Huye to Rusizi, with the feeling of racing through the most beautiful pages of a Visit Rwanda brochure. A fiery start and at km 18, five riders manage to establish the breakaway: Girmay from Istanbul, Muhoza from Amani, Vidal from Bike Aid, Theiler from Rembe, and Tuyizere from Rwanda.

Sprinter Girmay decides to win the first of five categorized climbs of the day, the main feature of a stage with 3,390 meters of elevation gain. Nyungwe Forest before the descent to Lake Kivu: here at km 45 the action of the five fades, under pressure from Lotto Wanty, who claim the climb thanks to New Zealander Thompson. His attack is impressive, but at km 80, among beautiful tea plantations, the breakaway rider faces a mechanical problem. A shame, he had over 1 minute advantage, but the misfortune of his teammate is somewhat compensated by fellow Lotto rider Marivoet, the Belgian counterattacker.

At km 100, with the group split in two, leader Martí is part of the first section. Marivoet has 50 seconds of margin and is entitled to believe. Is there still much to go? The move by the young rider from UAE Gen Z could prove successful, because now the 2025 Huye winner travels with 1:25, virtually in yellow. With 25 km to the finish it becomes 1:05, because NSN won't accept losing the symbol of leadership, then Zeray goes solo but it's a preparatory move for the fierce battle of the eight leaders, among them the Iberian rider who took the yellow jersey from his teammate Einhorn.

Those up front don't hold back, from Martí to Mulubrhan, and then Ribeiro, Mulugeta, Aman, Vanhuffel, but Zomermaand from Picnic seizes the right moment, while the chasers end up somewhat scattered and are unable to organize an effective counterattack.

FINISHING ORDER

1. Zomermaand Jurgen (Development Team Picnic PostNL) in 3:44:53
2. Van Gils Lucas (Lotto - Groupe Wanty) at 0:20
3. Vanhuffel Matteo (Development Team Picnic PostNL)
4. Bravo Henrique (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) at 0:22
5. Cisneros Jose Said (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) at 0:28
6. Mulugeta Yafiet (Eritrea)
7. Avancini Henrique da Silva (Localiza Meoo / Swift Pro Cycling)
8. Mattheis Oliver (BIKE AID)
9. Aman Awet (Istanbul Team)
10. Niyonkuru Samuel (Team Amani) at 0:43