Results Tour de Romandie 2026 Stage 3 | Dorian Godon takes second win of the race as Tadej Pogacar keeps GC control

Dorian Godon claimed victory on stage 3 of the Tour de Romandie, winning a reduced bunch sprint after a long day shaped by an early breakaway that was only caught in the closing kilometres. Behind him, Tadej Pogacar remained firmly in control of the race, safely navigating the finale to retain his overall lead.

After an aggressive opening phase, a seven rider breakaway established itself at the front of the race, featuring Sam Oomen, Georg Steinhauser, Damiano Caruso, Steff Cras, Lorenzo Germani, Josh Kench and Remy Rochas. It was not a harmless move.

With Steinhauser relatively well placed on general classification and experienced climbers such as Caruso and Oomen present, the group carried enough strength to demand respect from the peloton. That dynamic dictated the middle phase of the stage, with the gap controlled between two and three minutes rather than allowed to grow freely.

For much of the day, the peloton balanced control with restraint. UAE Team Emirates - XRG ensured the break did not gain too much freedom, but without committing fully to the chase, leaving the outcome uncertain heading towards the Col du Mollendruz.

The breakaway began to fragment on the main climb, with Damiano Caruso attacking to go clear alone. Steff Cras and Georg Steinhauser emerged as the strongest chasers behind him, while the rest of the move faded away.

In the peloton, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe took control, with Primoz Roglic setting a steady tempo that reduced the group without sparking decisive attacks. Tadej Pogacar remained perfectly positioned throughout, tracking the pace without showing any signs of difficulty.

Over the top, the race remained open. Cras and Steinhauser bridged back to Caruso on the descent to form a leading trio, briefly holding off the peloton as they worked together towards the finish.

Behind them, however, the chase became increasingly organised. INEOS Grenadiers, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe and Lidl Trek combined their efforts on the flat run in, steadily reducing the gap as the kilometres ticked down.

Despite a determined effort from the leaders, the advantage shrank rapidly inside the final ten kilometres. The catch was finally made with just a few kilometres remaining, bringing the peloton back together for the first time since the early break had formed.

With the breakaway neutralised, the stage came down to a sprint from a reduced peloton. Dorian Godon launched his effort at the right moment and proved strongest in the final metres, sealing the victory after a tightly contested finish.

While the stage win went elsewhere, the overall picture remained unchanged. Tadej Pogacar once again showed complete control, following every key move on the climb and safely negotiating the finale without conceding time.

The breakaway had dictated much of the day’s rhythm, but in the end the combined strength of the peloton proved decisive, setting up a sprint that brought stage 3 to its conclusion.