Results Vuelta a Asturias 2026 Stage 3 | Filippo Baroncini returns to podium months after near-fatal crash as Edgar Cadena wins

Filippo Baroncini produced one of the standout rides of the Vuelta a Asturias so far, sprinting to second place on stage 3 in Vegadeo just months after the serious crash that threatened both his career and his health.

The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider led the chase behind and finished 26 seconds down, marking a major step in his return to the front of the sport, while Edgar Cadena held on ahead to take a surprise solo victory after 157km from Figueras.

The stage had been aggressive from the outset, with repeated attempts to form the breakaway quickly shut down. Moves involving riders such as Urko Berrade and combinations including Aimar Tadeo and Lennart Voege were all neutralised as the peloton refused to allow any early advantage.

Eventually, a strong group of seven forced a gap. Nil Gimeno, Iuri Leitao, Carlos García Pierna, Nicolás Alustiza, Miguel Heidemann, Matthew Walls and Eduardo Pérez-Landaluce built an advantage of over three minutes, with Movistar Team taking responsibility in the peloton behind.

The Alto de la Bobia reshaped the race, reducing the breakaway to a trio of Gimeno, García Pierna and Alustiza. With 39 kilometres remaining, García Pierna attacked, distancing his companions and going solo at the front. His move was then disrupted by a crash on the descent of the Alto de Orouso, though he was able to remount and continue, keeping his chances alive.

Behind, the race was driven by a sustained offensive from UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The pace increased sharply as the team looked to isolate race leader Nairo Quintana, with repeated attacks stretching the group and forcing reactions from the Movistar rider. Quintana responded to each acceleration himself, maintaining control, while Movistar also used the terrain to keep the race under pressure.

The decisive move came with 23 kilometres remaining, when Edgar Cadena bridged across to García Pierna before immediately pressing on alone. With the favourites locked in a tactical battle behind, the gap held longer than expected. Baroncini emerged as the strongest rider in the chase, committing fully in the closing kilometres and distancing the rest of the group.

Despite closing the gap significantly, he was unable to reach Cadena, who crossed the line solo to take the stage victory. Baroncini followed 26 seconds later to secure second place, with Jermaine Zemke completing the podium.

For Baroncini, the result represents a significant milestone, underlining his return to competitive racing at the highest level after months of recovery, and signalling his growing influence within UAE Team Emirates-XRG as the season continues.