Results Tour of Slovakia 2026 Stage 3 - Van Eetvelt survives late peloton surge to take victory after daring attack on final climb
CyclingFriday, 18 September 2026 at 17:21
Lennart van Eetvelt won stage 3 of the 2026 Tour of Slovakia on Friday after attacking on the final climb of the day and just about holding off a number of riders who followed him on the descent and a surging peloton.
Stage 3 offered 195 kilometres from Tvrdosin to Dohnany and featured five categorised climbs, making it a day for the climbers who can also pack a punch with a downhill and flat final 24 kilometres to decide the stage.
Nine riders got themselves ahead of the bunch for the day's breakaway - including mountains jersey hopeful Carl Kegavi, Martyn Voltr, Michael Kukrle, Nejc Peterlin, Kacper Maciejuk, Robin Kull, Patyrk Dabski, David Kasko and Simen Evertsen-Hegreberg.
They did build up a gap of over three minutes, but led by just a handful of seconds as the race hit the day's final climb of Kohutka - a 6.2 kilometre ascent at 6.6 percent average gradient and topping with around 24 kilometres to go.
Attacks on final climb reel in breakaway
The irregular gradients of the climb ended the breaks day as the bunch loomed behind, making the catch with 26 kilometres to go.
Lennart van Eetvelt was the first to make a big attack, followed by Jamie Meehan - putting Paul Magnier under pressure as he tried to hang on for a potential sprint finish and a third win in a row.
The Lotto-Intermarche rider did get separation, but was followed by Henrique Bravo and chased by Simon Carr before the Cofidis rider was dropped from the front.
Paul Magnier would not contest the day's finale after losing contact on the final climb
Van Eetvelt and Bravo chased by Meehan and Decomble
Van Eetvelt and Bravo went over the top together and grew a gap of over 30 seconds on the peloton during the descent, and they would go all-out to reach the line. A chasing duo of Meehan and Maxime Decomble closed in, however.
With five kilometres to go, it looked like the race would be contested between those four riders as they joined together, believing that the peloton and Magnier dropped further behind.
With a largely flat final kilometers to the line, Decomble launched his sprint towards the line inside the final kilometre. However, the quartet were caught right in the finale by the remnants of the peloton - but not quick enough to deny Van Eetvelt as he held on for a deserved victory.
Benjamin Thomas and Valentin Hofer from the peloton claimed second and third respectively.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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