The compact stage with more than 3100 metres of climbing over 156 kilometres between Zarautz and Beasain was slow to get going, but offered plenty of spectacle in the second part of the day. In the middle of the stage, Schachmann (Soudal - Quick-Step) looked weakened several times and had problems keeping up with the group of favourites on the steep Basque climbs. In a flat section around 20 kilometres before the finish, the 31-year-old then surprised everyone with an attack that initially distanced all the favourites for overall victory apart from the Red Bull duo Lipowitz and Aleksandr Vlasov, such as Almeida (UAE Emirates - XRG), Enric Mas (Movistar Team) and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl - Trek).

While Vlasov sacrificed himself for Lipowitz at the front, Almeida and Co. had several helpers behind them, who reduced the gap to half a minute before the final climb of the day seven kilometres from the finish, so that the other favourites were able to come back. Almeida was strong enough to even ride an attack and briefly get ahead of the group. However, he was brought back on the descent to the finish.

Jury chaos surrounding stage winner Aranburu

There, the Spanish champion Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team) seemed to be heading for victory. However, the Spaniard took what he thought was the wrong exit at the last roundabout, cut it short and was relegated a few minutes after crossing the finish line in jubilation. As a result, victory initially went to Romain Gregoire (Groupama - FDJ), who had won the sprint of the chasers ahead of Schachmann and Almeida.

However, after reviewing further evidence - including Veloviewer data, the roadbook and information from the team - the organiser declared that the Cofidis rider had passed the roundabout correctly and that there was a signposting error. Aranburu's relegation was cancelled. The race organisation explained its actions in a statement.

Statement from the organiser

"From the initial footage we received, we decided to disqualify rider number 51 for 'deviation from the race route giving an advantage' as the images appeared to show that the rider had taken the roundabout in a way that deviated from the signposted route. However, after receiving and reviewing additional evidence, including data from Veloviewer, the roadbook and the team, it became clear that all available information indicated that the roundabout in question was intended to be taken in the manner chosen by the Cofidis rider. In accordance with article 1.2.064 of the UCI regulations, which states that 'riders should study the route in advance'. In this case, the rider correctly followed the indicated route. In addition, the rider's lead continued to increase after exiting the roundabout until the finish line. The race organiser was also consulted and confirmed that it was a signage error at the roundabout in question. Therefore, the panel of commissioners has decided to overturn its original decision and the rider's passage over the finish line is confirmed as valid."

Tour of the Basque Country 2025 - Results of the 3rd stage

>> Results of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 at a glance

>> Tour of the Basque Country 2025: route, stages, TV coverage & start list

>> Tour of the Basque Country: Schachmann wins the opening race by a matter of seconds

>> No Paris-Roubaix: Degenkolb has to take a long break

This is how the 3rd stage of the Tour of the Basque Country 2025 went

After nothing happened in the first 30 kilometres, the two French riders Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Matteo Vercher (Team TotalEnergies) broke away at the second mountain classification of the day, followed shortly afterwards by a group of 30 riders including Sepp Kuss (Visma | Lease a Bike), Marc Soler (UAE Emirates - XRG) and other good climbers. But although all the big teams were represented at the front, the breakaway riders didn't get a free ride and were quickly brought back.

While Armirail was alone at the front - he had quickly shaken off Vercher - and continued to make his circles, winning one mountain classification after another, smaller groups behind him tried to break away from the peloton, but despite being less prominent and easier to control, they were unable to get a clear ride.

GC favourites exchange blows

Kuss, Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates - XRG) and Aleksandr Vlasov (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) broke away from the peloton on the descent from the hardest climb of the day in Santa Ageda (2nd category), but before they could catch up with Armirail, the peloton had averted the danger again. With 73 kilometres to go, the Frenchman was also caught again. In the climb to the following Mandubia (2nd category), the GC riders continued to attack each other. Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe) tried, then Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates - XRG) went with Harold Tejada (XDS Astana Team) on his rear wheel.

Joao Almeida (UAE Emirates - XRG), the Movistar duo Enric Mas and Nelson Oliveira as well as Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl - Trek) caught up with the duo, which put Red Bull in particular under pressure. However, the gaps remained manageable 60 kilometres before the finish and were levelled out again shortly afterwards. The leading group shrank under McNulty's pace dictation. However, UAE increased the pressure further with another attack by Soler.

Soler was supported by the two French riders Clément Berthet (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Rudy Molard (Groupama - FDJ). The trio harmonised well and were able to build up a lead of more than a minute on the group of favourites. On the extremely steep climb to Gainza (3rd category), the gap between the favourites, who were also thinned out further - Schachmann also had problems - and Berthet, who had dropped Soler and Molard, shrank. With 30 kilometres to go, the Decathlon pro was the last remaining pro ahead of Almeida, Lipowitz and Co.

Schachmann breaks through the group of favourites

On the following flat section, Schachmann surprised his rivals with an attack. The attack worked, it surprised UAE with Almeida, who, like Skjelmose, was unable to make the leap to the front and was quickly half a minute behind. Lipowitz and Vlasov, on the other hand, were part of the 13-man group, which otherwise contained no other top favourites. Lipowitz seized the opportunity and secured a bonus second at the last intermediate sprint.

Vlasov bolted up the pace for Lipowitz for several kilometres, but nobody else supported the pace work, so that the Almeida group reduced its gap to 15 seconds before the final, once again very steep climb at Lazkaomendi seven kilometres before the finish.

Berthet was dropped on that climb. While Schachmann and Lipowitz took the climb from the front with the second air, Almeida had already rejoined the group from behind and then left the small leading group behind in the final metres. On the descent, he tore a hole that initially only Aranburu was able to close. However, when Almeida lost control 1900 metres before the finish, the Spaniard was on course for victory.

Aranburu takes a short cut

While Aranburu crossed the finish line a few metres ahead, Schachmann, Lipowitz, Skjelmose, Mas and other riders had caught up with Almeida again and were sprinting for second place. Gregoire secured this ahead of the man in the yellow jersey, who took a few more bonus seconds with him and was thus able to extend his lead.

At least that was the scenario for a few minutes. Because after the jury had sat down for a few minutes, second-placed Gregoire was declared the stage winner instead of Aranburu. Aranburu had taken a shortcut at the last roundabout. Although the Spaniard took the route that was much less dangerous because less steering was required after a descent, the signs on the road and a few stewards clearly pointed in the other direction. His pursuers took the slightly longer route. Later that evening, the decision was revised and Aranburu was declared the winner again.

Schachmann, meanwhile, took four bonus seconds to finish third on the day. Lipowitz is now in second place, having secured a bonus second at the intermediate sprint to overtake Almeida.