Kim le Court Pienaar won the third stage of the Tour of Britain Women, a decisive attack just 3 km from the finish line proved unstoppable. The Mauritian athlete had marked the 104.7 km stage from Mold to Great Orme and tested her legs at the intermediate sprint to secure the time bonuses. The Team AG Insurance rider was well supported by Letizia Borghesi, who launched her for the decisive move that allowed her to also take the yellow jersey of the general classification. Second place went to Liane Lippert (Team Movistar), third Caroline Andersson (Liv Alula Jayco). Eleonora Camilla Gasparrini finished in ninth position, ahead of Lorena Wiebes.

THE RACE. The northern coast of Wales hosted the third stage of the Tour of Britain Women with the start in Mold, south of Liverpool and the finish at the scenic Great Orme after 104.7 km. A rolling course characterized by three categorized climbs: the ascent of Moel Fodair, Nebo and the final climb that brought the riders to the finish line. Two-time world champion Lotte Kopecky did not start from Mold, having contributed significantly to Lorena Wiebes' double victory in the first two stages.

It was a fast and eventful day, with many riders attempting multiple times to break away from the peloton, but from the early kilometers several teams set a strong pace, keeping the race closed. SD Worx Protime and FDJ United Suez made their presence felt, causing several splits in the peloton on multiple occasions. Faced with the high pace and constant ups and downs, many riders had to surrender.

Just 3 km from the finish, shortly before the start of the final climb, Kim le Court Pienaar launched her attack, completely shattering the peloton. Initially, Lorena Wiebes, the general classification leader, responded to her attack, but the Mauritian athlete soon became unstoppable. Le Court Pienaar crossed the finish line with a 14-second advantage over Liane Lippert, securing the yellow jersey.

Tomorrow the Tour of Britain will depart from Wales to tackle the Llanidloes - Hay on Wye stage, 138.3 km featuring 3 categorized climbs, with the last one approximately 20 km from the finish before a flat final section. Le Court Pienaar's objective will be to defend the yellow jersey, especially against attacks from Lorena Wiebes, who could exploit the time bonuses available at the intermediate sprints and the finish to make up ground.

STAGE RESULTS

1 Le Court Kim AG Insurance-Soudal Team 02:46:10

2 Lippert Liane Movistar Team + 13

3 Andersson Caroline Liv AlUla Jayco + 20

4 de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 21

5 Ludwig Cecilie Uttrup CANYON//SRAM + 23

6 Dickson Lauren FDJ United-SUEZ + 26

7 Bredewold Mischa Team SD Worx-Protime + 28

8 Swinkels Karlijn UAE Team L'IMAD + 28

9 Gasparrini Eleonora UAE Team L'IMAD + 32

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

1 Le Court Kim AG Insurance-Soudal Team 10:18:26

2 Lippert Liane Movistar Team + 26

3 Wiebes Lorena Team SD Worx-Protime + 35

4 Andersson Caroline Liv AlUla Jayco + 35

5 de Vries Femke Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 40

6 Swinkels Karlijn UAE Team L'IMAD + 42

7 Bredewold Mischa Team SD Worx-Protime + 42

8 Ludwig Cecilie Uttrup CANYON//SRAM + 42

9 Dickson Lauren FDJ United-SUEZ + 45

10 Gasparrini Eleonora UAE Team L'IMAD + 51

10 Wiebes Lorena Team SD Worx-Protime + 37