Results Czech Tour 2026 Stage 3 - Andrew August continues INEOS domination and doubles up on Dlouhe Strane to strengthen yellow after attacking rivals

Andrew August made it back-to-back summit victories at the 2026 Czech Tour, winning Stage 3 on Dlouhe Strane after Netcompany INEOS again controlled the race before their yellow jersey launched his own attack in the closing two kilometres.

The 20-year-old had already taken both the stage and the race lead on Jested a day earlier, and he followed that performance by beating Alessandro Fancellu and Domenico Pozzovivo at the end of the 13.2-kilometre final climb.

August began the day only six seconds ahead of Fancellu and 11 clear of Pozzovivo, but rather than simply defending that advantage he went on the offensive inside the final two kilometres. Fancellu was able to respond, while Pozzovivo briefly lost contact before fighting his way back into the leading group.

August then launched the sprint with around 400 metres remaining and proved strongest again, taking a second consecutive stage victory while reinforcing his position at the head of the general classification.

Before racing began in Pardubice, the peloton observed a minute's silence in memory of Finlay Tarling following his death in Portugal. Once the stage settled, Samuel Boardman, Nolan Huysmans, Filippo Ridolfo, Dominik Neuman, Josef Cerny and Romet Pajur formed the day's principal breakaway. Pajur took maximum points at the intermediate sprint in Lanskroun before Huysmans led Neuman and Cerny over the second-category climb at Mezilesi.

Pajur was later dropped and caught, while Manuele Tarozzi and Jan Castellon bridged across from the peloton. Tarozzi's presence briefly put him ahead of August in the virtual general classification, but INEOS remained composed at the front of the bunch and kept the escape within manageable range.

The remaining breakaway riders were brought back as the race reached Dlouhe Strane. Castellon had tried to press on from the escape on the lower slopes, with Tarozzi joining him, but neither could hold off the favourites once the pace increased behind.

NSN and INEOS both contributed to the tempo on the climb before Geoffrey Bouchard attacked with under four kilometres remaining. Kamiel Bonneu bridged across and then continued alone after Bouchard was caught, briefly putting himself at the head of the race.

Bonneu's move survived until 1.8 kilometres from the summit, when the pressure from INEOS finally brought him back. Jack Haig had already been driving the pace for August, who still had strong team support around him deep into the climb.

With Bonneu caught, August did not wait for his rivals to make the first move. He accelerated with around two kilometres remaining, immediately forcing Fancellu and the other GC contenders to respond.

Pozzovivo was briefly distanced inside the final kilometre but managed to regain contact, leaving the leading riders together for the final approach to the line. August still had enough left to launch again in the closing 400 metres and claimed another summit victory ahead of Fancellu and Pozzovivo.

The result completed another commanding day for August and INEOS. After taking yellow on Jested, the American successfully defended it on a longer, more sustained climb and did so by attacking rather than simply following, leaving the Czech Tour leader in an even stronger position heading into the final stage.