Ethan Vernon narrowly defeats Juan Sebastian Molano in thrilling sprint finish to stage 3 at Tour of Guangxi 2024

Israel - Premier Tech's Ethan Vernon has taken victory on stage 3 of the 2024 Tour of Guangxi, outsprinting UAE Team Emirates' Juan Sebastian Molano in a thrilling finale.

Heading into the final 30km, a leading duo of Dries De Bondt in the King of the Mountains jersey, and Pepijn Reinderink held around a minute and a half of advantage over the peloton. With UAE Team Emirates setting a firm pace on the front though, that lead was steadily being diminished and at 10km to go, the catch of De Bondt was completed by the peloton. Reinderink hadn't given up just yet though, and kicked on again solo. 

At 6.7km to go though, the Soudal - Quick-Step rider too had been swallowed up as the peloton continued to roar, full gas, towards the finale. With no real sprint trains to speak of it was a messy lead-in to the finish line, but in the sprint for victory, it went to a photo finish that eventually saw Ethan Vernon emerge victorious ahead of Juan Sebastian Molano.