No gaps this time between the general classification contenders.
Saudi Arabia’s most important race continued on Wednesday with another flat stage, held around the Al Manshiyah Train Station. Animated by five riders, who went on to build a four-minute gap on the peloton, the day was pretty quiet for the first couple of hours.
Things exploded with more than 80 kilometers to go, when a sudden increase of pace at the front of the peloton caught many riders off guard just as the wind was picking up. Around two dozen riders made the cut, including Gianmarco Garofoli and Mauri Vansevenant, but unlike Tuesday, the race came back together and ended up in a bunch sprint.
Just like on the previous stage, Laurenz Rex was the first Soudal Quick-Step rider home, behind stage winner Jonathan Milan, and retained his place in the overall standings. The Belgian is fourth as the race prepares for the first demanding stage of this edition, finishing atop the Bir Jaydah Mountain Wirkah.
Photo credit: ©Dario Belingheri / Getty Images
