News | Team | Volta Valenciana • February 6, 2026
Florian Vermeersch rides to third on stage 3 of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana
Belgian rider partakes in late attack that makes it to the line, with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG man sprinting to third place
Florian Vermeersch picked up a commendable third-place finish on stage 3 of the Volta Comunitat Valenciana, with the UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider also vaulting up to third overall.
On a day where GC skirmishes were promised, the expected blows were thrown between the likes of João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe), and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG). However, none of these attacks stuck, and the finale was actually played out in unexpected circumstances.
It was UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s Vermeersch who attacked on a late descent and managed to break free of the peloton. The Belgian was joined by Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility), AJ August (Ineos Grenadiers), and Jonathan Vervenne (Soudal Quick-Step), and a battle ensued between the quartet and those behind.
There was a healthy gathering of fast men in the peloton, drawing out a strong pursuit, but Vermeersch and co. worked in unison to spoil the party.
In the end, Vervenne spent all his bullets in working towards the finish line, leaving the other three to sprint for the honours. Their sprint played out with the peloton agonisingly close in the distance.
Vermeersch opened his sprint first but was ultimately swamped by his breakaway companions, leaving third place for the Belgian. It was a fine performance that saw Vermeersch vault up to third overall ahead of Saturday’s all-important GC showdown.
Vermeersch: “In the downhill I saw my chance and I went for it. Marc (Soler) left a gap (on purpose) and I took my opportunity, and went full for it. It is a shame it didn’t pay off in the end because I really wanted to give a victory back to the boys today.
“The level is good, we will keep on fighting, and tomorrow is a big GC day and we try again to win this thing.”
Volta Comunitat Valenciana stage 3 results:
1. AJ August (Ineos Grenadiers) 3:20:54
2. Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility) s.t
3. Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) s.t
Volta Comunitat Valenciana general classification after stage 3:
1. Biniam Girmay (NSN Cycling Team) 6:46:29
2. Ådne Holter (Uno-X Mobility) s.t
3. Florian Vermeersch (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +2″
