As it happened: Alberto Bettiol takes over race lead as puncheurs battle out Tour de Suisse stage 3

Hello and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse!

Today's stage looks simple on paper with a relatively flat route starting in Steinmaur and running south towards the eastern outskirts of Zurich. However, close inspection shows a tough, hilly final 30km where the action should explode into life all before the final uphill kick to the line in Rüschlikon.

It's been a tough morning for Bora-Hansgrohe with Emanuel Buchmann being forced to pull out of the race due to breaking his hip and collarbone in a late crash yesterday:

Emanuel Buchmann breaks collarbone and hip in Tour de Suisse crash

Movistar have also been hit with bad news Nairo Quintana's poor luck in 2024 has continued during his comeback to the WorldTour:

Nairo Quintana abandons Tour de Suisse after breaking hand in stage 2 crash

Who will be the next winner at the Tour de Suisse after Yves Lampaert (Sodal Quick-Step) claimed the ITT and Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) took yesterday's sprint stage?

It was a great day for the Frenchman after what he said was his biggest career victory yet at the age of 32. The uphill finale could be too difficult for him to repeat that today depending on how it is raced but expect to try his luck should the puncheur's teams not put properly dispatch of the purer sprinters.

Stage start

Riders are gone from the unofficial start and stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse 2024 is underway!

161.7KM TO GO

Flag dropped and we're racing officially now. 

The early attacks have started outside of Steinmaur with some familiar names from yesterday's break getting into the move: Luca Jenni, Christoph Janssen (both Swiss Cycling), Roberto Carlos González (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini), Johan Jacobs (Movistar) and Fabian Lienhard (Groupama-FDJ).

The five-man group has an advantage of 0:30 for now.

150KM TO GO

Reminder that Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step) did start the day as race leader after surviving the tricky finale yesterday. He leads the race by 4 seconds from Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers). 

Confirmation that 164 riders remain at the Tour de Suisse with Buchmann and Quintana pulling out injured. 

Bahrain Victorious had been doing the work on the front of the peloton but that seems to have stopped now with the break of the day formed in the opening 15km.

Here's the five-man move getting up the road, with Lienhard leading on the front. 

140KM TO GO

With the impetus now out of the peloton, the gap has ballooned out to 2:15 as expected. 

Time gap to the five leaders has stabilised at the 2:15-mark.

While there's a chance, make sure to read Philippa York's analysis from last week's Critérium du Dauphiné:

A work in progress - Roglič, Evenepoel and the road from the Dauphiné to the Tour de France

130KM TO GO

With the stage 1 time trial being so short, a lot of riders could potentially take over the lead of the Tour de Suisse in today's finale. Look out for any of the riders below a 10-second gap, because if they get the bonus seconds for the win, they could be overtaking Lampaert.

Here's how the top 15 stood after yesterday's stage thanks to FirstCycling:

With control of the race leader's yellow jersey, Soudal Quick-Step have taken up the job of riding on the front of the peloton to protect Lampaert's lead.

Gap to the five riders is now at 3:20. Reminder of that five: Luca Jenni, Christoph Janssen (both Swiss Cycling), Roberto Carlos González (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini), Johan Jacobs (Movistar) and Fabian Lienhard (Groupama-FDJ).

It's no surprise to see either Lienhard or Jacobs in this lead group as very local riders to today's route, with the former even being from the today's start location- Steinmaur.

Mauro Schmid (Jayco AlUla) is also from very close to today's route and is suited to the finale so expect him to be active later on in the day. 

120KM TO GO

Another 10 seconds added to the lead group's advantage, now sat at 3:30. 

Gap is only growing to the five in front with it now at 3:40.

110KM TO GO

Lotto Dstny have taken over at the front of the peloton. They have great options for the explosive finale today with Maxim Van Gils and Arnaud De Lie giving them one of the top puncheurs in 2024 and one of the most versatile sprinters. Look out for their red and blue jerseys on stage 3.

Average speed in the first hour was 50.9kph with a lot of downhill roads in the opening phase. 

100KM TO GO

Lotto Dstny are happy to let the gap out to 4:00 with no urgency yet needed. 

Here's last year's Tour de Suisse winner Mattias Skjelmose being guided safely in the peloton by his Lidl-Trek teammates.

90KM TO GO

Closing in on the halfway point of stage 3 and the gap is now stable at 3:50. With the hardest racing still to come, the peloton will fancy themselves to chase down the five leaders in the final 90km. 

80KM TO GO

That's halfway done on stage 3 and only the toughest racing left to come.

Always nice to local riders get into the break such as Johan Jacobs for Movistar today.

Having started the day just 21 seconds off Lampaert's lead, Luca Jenni (Swiss Cycling) is in the virtual lead of the race. The gap to the break is still 3:50 with just over 70km remaining. 

70KM TO GO

Soudal Quick-Step are now pulling on the front of the peloton, reducing the leader's advantage down to under the 3-minute mark.

30km to go until the intermediate sprint in Aristau.

Jayco AlUla and Lott Dstny are the other top teams taking on the chasing at the front of the peloton. Gap down to 2:50.

60KM TO GO

The five men out in front are working well together, here's the current situation:

Head of the race: Luca Jenni, Christoph Janssen (both Swiss Cycling), Roberto Carlos González (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini), Johan Jacobs (Movistar) and Fabian Lienhard (Groupama-FDJ)

Chasing peloton: +2:33

Here's how much of the day has looked on stage 3 with Jayco, Lotto and Quick-Step leading the chase behind in the peloton. 

Here's some of the top puncheurs and versatile sprinters to look out for in today's finale:

Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers)
Maxim van Gils (Lotto Dstny)
Marc Hirschi (UAE Team Emirates)
Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost)
Michael Matthews (Jayco AlUla)
Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Dstny)
Roger Adria (Bora-Hansgrohe)
Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek)
Axel Laurance (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

We've not had too much action but remember, all of the hardest racing is jam-packed into the final 30km. Racing should really kick off with a downhill run to the intermediate sprint and from then on in, it will only be up and down until the line in Rüschlikon.

50KM TO GO

The lead group of five's advantage is holding at around 2:30.

Alpecin-Deceuninck have also started showing their double denim jerseys near the front of the peloton. Axel Laurance should be their man today and has showed great form in his first season on Alpecin's WorldTour team after becoming U23 World Champion in August. 

Pace is absolutely rapid in the peloton with Ineos, EF and Israel all now involved at the front. Everyone is aware of the incoming tough terrain after an easy start to the day. 

We're at full approach pace now, so much so that it looks like 5km from the finish. Huge rush to be in prime position coming into the next few key kilometres. Intermediate sprint not far away now in Aristau.

40KM TO GO

It's downhill towards the IS point with the five men in front still 1:50 in front, but the pace behind is melting away their advantage at a serious rate of knots. 

González led the breakaway through the intermediate sprint point with Lienhard in second and Jacobs in third. 

The break will be heading downhill for the next few kilometres before coming into the read action point of the day - the first climb. It will be a 3.8km Cat.3 test to Oberwil-Lieli with average gradients of 5.4%.

Alpecin and Jayco still leading with serious pace on the front. Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) has been staying right towards the front. He won't be going for the win today but will be pleased to get some tough training in the legs ahead of the Tour de France. 

The breakaway's advantage is disappearing quickly on the lower slopes of the first climb - now down to 1:18.

Here come the pink jerseys of EF Education-EasyPost and they've taken over the front of the peloton. They have great options for the stage in Alberto Bettiol, Marijn van den Berg, Rui Cost and GC leader Richard Carapaz

34KM TO GO

González and Jenni are off the front and going after the KOM points. Both were in the break yesterday and both want the maximum haul incoming.

Could this be Yves Lampaert's final day in the yellow jersey?

González doesn't give any gifts to Jenni who is struggling more towards the crest, making the Swiss man work all the way to the line. But it looks like he didn't quite make it. He is now equal with Gerben Kuypers (Intermarché-Wanty) who went into the KOM jersey yesterday but may still be in the jersey after the day. 

30KM TO GO

Lienhard and Janssen have been reabsorbed by the peloton and it won't be long until we are all back together with the remaining trio of Jenni, González and Jacobs only 20 seconds in front of the charging peloton. 

Racing has calmed momentarily in the peloton ahead of the Tissot golden kilometre. Jacobs has set off in pursuit of the watch prize and bonus seconds with the peloton waiting for the climbs to restart the all out action. 

Jacobs has got away nicely and is showing strong legs. He's rebuilt a 50-second lead on the peloton and 30 on his former escapees.

Brilliant touch from the Swiss man to point to his Ride for Gino wristband, of course, in memory of his compatriot and friend Gino Mäder who sadly lost his life at the Tour de Suisse last year.

Here's that lovely moment from today's lone leader Jacobs:

With more climbs approaching after this descent, the pace is picking up again in the peloton. Lotto Dstny are again active in the lead after showing their intentions all day. Home team Tudor are the newest team to start sniffing around the front of the peloton. 

González and Jenni are about to get caught after another strong day in the break, leaving just the Movistar man Jacobs in front after 140km of racing. 

20KM TO GO

EF Education-EasyPost are properly lined out with five readers at the head of the peloton. Full-on racing from the men in pink. The pace is full gas ahead of the explosive finale.

Here's a last look at Johan Jacobs (Movistar) as he is close to being pulled back fully by the peloton. Great ride out in the breakaway, however, so chapeau. 

Lots of riders beginning to struggle under the infernal pace being set by EF. GC men showing themselves also in the first few wheels, ensuring they don't get caught on the wrong side of a split. 

Lidl-Trek came through and did some work earlier on the front, which could either be for last year's TDS winner Skjelmose or the super talented Thibau Nys. 

15KM TO GO

It's still all in for EF Education-EasyPost on the front but the peloton is still large now on the slopes of the Aegst am Albis climb (2.6 km at 6.5%). It will be immediately followed by the final categorised climb of the day - the Albipass (2 km at 5.9%).

Ethan Hayter (Ineos) is doing Ethan Hayter things and sitting at the back of the peloton. Today's finish could be best for him or Pidcock with a punchy finish but he will have to move up in the next few kilometres if he is to contest the day. 

A look at the men in pink, EF Education-EasyPost leading stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse through Stefan Bissegger. They have multiple options for the finale today in Bettiol, Van den Berg and Carapaz.

Onto the foot of the final categorised climb of the day now. It's far from the last inclines of the day but should play a big part in thinning down the peloton. 

New team at the front of proceedings - Visma-Lease a Bike have taken over. They have Hungarian champ Attila Valter leading things for now with lots of teams just sitting in and waiting for their moment. 

Attack

Here we go, the attacks are coming! It's Ineos who take the first shot through Brandon RIvera but he is closely followed by Visma and UAE. Single file towards the head of the peloton. 

Here we go Valentin Paret-Peintre, fresh off the back of his Giro d'Italia success. The small frame as recognisable as ever. Adam Yates responds for UAE and chases down the Frenchman. 

10KM TO GO

Yates is now working on the front, probably for his punchier teammates to have a crack at the finale. He could be helping either Hirschi or Del Toro who would be great options in the finale.

Michael Matthews and Ethan Hayter both still in their but further down the pack. 

Some beautiful descending roads to take on and taking them on is just what Tom Pidcock is doing. He's gapping some of those daring to follow his aggressive lines down off the climb.

Bettiol recognised the danger of the Brit's downhill skills and quickly jumped across to his wheel, prompting him to save his legs for the final.

It's downhill for the next couple of kilometres until the race hits a small kicker and then descends again before reaching the uphill kick to the line into Rüschlikon, with slopes of 9% characterising the finale. 

5KM TO GO

Bora-Hansgrohe, UAE Team Emirates and DSM Firmenich PostNL all have a duo of riders at the front of the peloton. Lots of action still to come to decide the stage winner.

Yves Lampaert is still in the peloton and will be hoping he can limit the damage over the final ramps and hold onto the leader's yellow jersey. 

The Bora-led peloton is onto that small kicker but the pace has slowed momentarily. Lots of tension in the front of the peloton with each and every corner a chance to improve your positioning for the finale.

Alpecin-Deceeninck take over on the incline all while working for Axel Laurance. Hirschi is launching a move and he's got a gap on local lad Mauro Schmid!

Hirschi is going beautifully and kicking hard over the incline. He's got a lead, albeit a small one, but he is continuing on now inside the 3km to-go mark.

2.5KM TO GO

Alpecin are doing much of the chasing but the UAE man has certainly stung the legs. He's onto the descent now and as we know from the 2020 Tour de France, he can go downhill with the best of them. 

A pedestrian nearly crossed the road with a dog and distracted Hirschi but he is back into his rhythm and working away with a 5-second lead on the charging peloton. 

Hirschi is being closed down quickly now with Alpecin putting on the pace. But has he saved anything for the uphill final?

Alpecin run out of steam and here come Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. Hirschi is being reeled back in now and he's done.

Paret-Peintre leads Laipeira coming into the finale kilometre! 

EF, Quick-Step and many others are waiting in the wings behind AG2R but who has the power to take the day?

Thibau Nys is in prime position and preparing for the final spint.

Here comes Nys and he hits the front with 2 in his wheel but he has a small gap with Williams chasing him.

Thibau Nys (Lidl-Trek) wins stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse in a thrilling finale!

It's Stephen Williams (Israel-Premier Tech) in second and Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost) in third.

Replay of the finale shows just how strong the young Belgian's kick was once he hit the front. He sat in on the wheel of Wiclo Keldermann (Visma-Lease a Bike) coming into the final few corners but once he hit the accelerator, no one could match his infernal pace. 

Bettiol and Williams both tried and finished well but that Cyclocross pedigree was well on show with Nys' explosive power bringing him home. 

Here's what second-place Williams said after taking second in another strong performance by the Welshman:

"Disappointed. Obviously I put myself in the picture to try and win it so that was great," Williams said. "But no complaints, whoever's got the strongest legs wins up here. Good day, though, I felt good and  he boys were great all day, especially in the finale - shame I couldn't finish it off but a good day out."

Here's how he saw the final, frantic run to the line:

"Marc [Hirschi] attacked with a few kilometres to go so there was a bit of a stalemate but I think in the end it came back and I kind of got jumped at the bottom a bit," Williams said.

"In hindsight I wish I came from the back a little bit more but there we are, came to the finish and ended up second. Sometimes that's how it goes but really proud of the guys, how we rode. It's a good day so I'm happy."

Thibau Nys' winning moment on stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse. It isn't actually his first WorldTour win after taking one at the Tour de Romandie in April but this is probably an even bigger victory to take in his young career. 

Confirmation that Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step) didn't stay in contact as the race split apart in the uphill run for home, meaning EF were rewarded for all their work on the front with Alberto Bettiol moving into the yellow jersey thanks to his 4 bonus seconds gained for third. 

Here's how the GC standings look after stage 3, courtesy of FirstCycling:

It was an emotional win for Thibau Nys who has only continued to show his brilliance this 2024 season. Here's what he had to say after his victory:

"It's so nice to show the good form of the last few weeks. I've been dreaming about this stage for a long time already.  I was so disappointed after the crash in Gippingen [GP des Kantons Aargau]- it was difficult to get over it because I knew I was close to winning there," said Nys in his flash interview. 

"From the race to the hotel, we did the recon of this stage and I tried to put my mind in the right direction and it all worked out. Yesterday I was struggling a lot, today as well. I was not feeling good on the bike and had a bit of an annoying feeling the whole day but the guys pulled me through it and I started to believe in it. It all worked out - I'm out of words."

With today's win and that from Romandie, Nys is establishing a strong connection with Swiss races, prompting the interview to draw a comparison with Peter Sagan, who for so long dominated in Swiss stage races.

"It looks like I always perform in Swiss and I love to race here - nice roads, nice parcours," Nys said. "I would love to keep it going in the next few years as well. But yeah, unbelievable. I cannot put into words how this feels and what it means to me."

Here's the new race leader at the Tour de Suisse - Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost). 

Rundown of the other jersey leaders after stage 3:

Black points jersey - Yves Lampaert (Soudal Quick-Step)

Red KOM jersey - Luca Jenni (Swiss Cycling)

White best young rider's jersey - Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates)

With an ITT and two punchier stages completed, the Tour de Suisses heads to the harder inclines with the first summit finish of a brutal week of racing. We should see GC gaps form and all-out racing from the top climber up the Gotthardpass (8.2 km at 6.6%).

Take a look at the profile of stage 4 below:

Also make sure to read our full stage report from today's explosive day of racing:

Tour de Suisse: Thibau Nys continues run of results with stage 3 victory

That wraps things up for our live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de Suisse. Make sure to check back tomorrow for our live coverage of the 171km stage from Rüschlikon up to the Gotthardpass to see how the GC battle develops.