Tim Wellens jumps up to third overall at the CRO Race

On stage 3 of the CRO Race, Tim Wellens produced a battling performance for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, vaulting himself up to third overall in the general classification.

On the Queen stage between Krk and Labin, Wellens refused to give in after being distanced on the final climb, eventually fighting his way back to the front and crossing the line in third place. That result, alongside the bonus seconds that Wellens had accumulated in the opening two stages, leaves the Belgian just eight seconds off the leader’s jersey.

With three stages yet to come in Croatia, the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader is well set to mount his assault on the lead of the stage 3 winner and new overall leader, Tobias Svarre (Uno-X Mobility).

On Thursday afternoon, Svarre was well worth his victory, with the young talent packing the biggest punch in a three-up sprint to the line alongside Wellens and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious).

Earlier in the stage, it had been Tiberi who went on the attack, with the Italian using the steep climb 30km from the finish to take his leap. The Bahrain Victorious rider clipped off the front of the peloton, as Domen Novak guided Wellens into position for UAE Team Emirates-XRG behind. Thanks to the work of the Slovenian, Wellens was ready to respond.

Svarre went in pursuit, and Wellens was not far behind. The pair made the best showing of the chasers and came over the top of the climb in second and third place, respectively. Onto the descent, Tiberi held an advantage of 15 seconds to Svarre and 23 seconds to Wellens. From here to the finish in Labin, stage 3 of the CRO Race was a nail-biting affair.

Into the final 10km, Wellens caught the back wheel of Svarre, and the two were able to relay and catch Tiberi just 3km from the finish.

With the three together once more, they could afford to look at one another and soft pedal into the final kilometre. After all, the chasing group behind had been almost a minute behind. This gamesmanship resulted in a thrilling sprint inside the last 300m, with Wellens, Tiberi and Svarre all taking turns to burst towards the finish line.

Ultimately, Wellens’ earlier efforts came home to roost, leaving the Belgian having to settle for third place. Up ahead, Tiberi was beaten to the victory by Svarre, with the Dane riding to his first career victory. Reflecting on his performance after the finish, Wellens noted his disappointment but carried plenty of praise for his teammates, who had done the bulk of the work to catch the day’s breakaway.

Wellens: “The team controlled the whole day because we were leading with Sebas and we had a lot of ambition. Halfway through the race, Bahrain Victorious came to help and the race was ultimately decided on this steep climb 30km from the finish. Here, I went at my pace and I dropped a little, so I arrived in third at the top.

“I knew it was a long way to the finish so I rode hard to join the front group. But I felt lactate in my legs even before the sprint, so I arrived in third place. It was a little disappointing because it was looking good for me when we headed towards the finish with three riders. A cobbled climb usually suits me well but my legs were empty and I did what I could.

“Today, we saw a very strong team for ourselves. We decided the race, and this gives me the confidence to be positive looking at the final stages to come.”

CRO Race 2026 stage 3 results:

1. Tobias Svarre (Uno-X Mobility) 4:10:54

2. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) s.t

3. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +6″

CRO Race 2026 general classification after stage 3:

1. Tobias Svarre (Uno-X Mobility) 10:50:58

2. Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious) +4″

3. Tim Wellens (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +8″