It was not the team’s day today despite multiple efforts to get into the early break with Dylan Sunderland, Ukko Peltonen and Nico Sessler but none of them stuck.
Xeno Young unfortunately lost touch at around 15km into the race and then had to ride solo for almost 100km all the way back to the peloton, which he reached before the final big climb of the day where he settled into the grupetto along with Nico, Ukko and Kiaan Watts. Xeno managed to take nine KoMs on Strava on his solo mission back to the bunch.
Our American rider Conor Schunk put in a great ride securing 38th on the stage behind the unsurprising winner of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).
Here is Xeno’s ride on Strava – https://www.strava.com/activities/7323639740
Xeno Young – “Today was pretty full gas from the gun. I followed a few of the early moves with the hopes of making the days break but it was not to be. I was struggling pretty hard when the race hit a short climb around 15km in and got distanced by the main group.
“I continued to fight spending the next 80km fighting until getting back in touch with the group before the 2nd last climb, I didn’t even think it was the peloton and at that point I was just happy to be in a group. Took my time on the descent and just happy to have got round and be able to go again tomorrow.“
Director Sportif, Florent Horeau – “The goal for today was the same as the first 2 stages. Get into the break. The guys gave it a good go with lost of attacks but Bahrain was not happy with letting these moves go. Tomorrow is another day where we are keen to show our colours and maybe a very good result as well.”