Romeo wins Dauphine stage three and the yellow leaders jersey

Movistar's Ivan Romeo rode solo to a stunning victory in stage three of the Criterium du Dauphine, claiming the coveted yellow leader's jersey.

The 21-year-old Spaniard's triumph on the challenging 202.8km route from Brioude to Charantonnay marks his second senior professional win and positions him as a formidable contender in the prestigious race.

With approximately 6 kilometers remaining, Romeo executed a decisive attack that propelled him clear of a group of ten riders, leaving behind a fierce chase led by cycling powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel. Despite the valiant efforts of the chase group, they were unable to close the gap, as Romeo crossed the finish line a remarkable 14 seconds ahead of Harold Tejada, Louis Barre, and Florian Lipowitz.

"I don't believe it," exclaimed Romeo, still in disbelief after his monumental victory. "It was one of the toughest days of my life so far. The breakaway was incredibly hard to get into, and I wasn't feeling really good, so I waited until the last moment. I know that in a flat finish with a small break, I have good instincts, and if they give me some seconds, I can make it."

Romeo’s victory not only secures him the yellow jersey but also sees him take the overall lead from Lidl-Trek's Jonathan Milan, who previously claimed stage two. With a 17-second advantage in the general classification standings heading into the upcoming time trial, Romeo has positioned himself as a serious contender for the overall title.

"I had this stage on my mind for a month," Romeo continued. "We've been doing altitude training at Sierra Nevada, working super hard with all the team, and they gave me this chance at the beginning of the week."

As the Criterium du Dauphine approaches its mountainous stages, reigning Tour de France and Giro d'Italia champion Tadej Pogacar sits just over a minute behind in ninth place. With the race intensifying, all eyes will be on the upcoming stages as riders prepare to tackle the steep ascents that await.

The Criterium du Dauphine, known for its challenging terrain and elite competition, continues to attract cycling fans from around the world. As the race unfolds, excitement builds around the potential for new rivalries and dramatic shifts in the standings.

VIDEO: Stage 3 Highlights

Stage three results

1 Ivan Romeo (Spa/Movistar) 4hrs 34mins 10sec
2 Harold Tejada (Col/XDS Astana) +14secs
3 Louis Barre (Fra/Intermarche-Wanty) Same time
4 Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe)
5 Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Deceuninck) +27secs
6 Axel Laurance (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers) Same tim
7 Brieuc Rolland (Fra/Groupama-FDJ)
8 Julien Bernard (Fra/Lidl-Trek)
9 Andreas Leknessund (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)
10 Eddie Dunbar (Irl/Jayco-AlUla)

General classification after stage three

1 Ivan Romeo (Spa/Movistar) 14hrs 9mins 1sec
2 Louis Barre (Fra/Intermarche-Wanty) +17secs
3 Harold Tejada (Col/XDS Astana) +18secs
4 Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) +24secs
5 Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Deceuninck) +29secs
6 Eddie Dunbar (Irl/Jayco-AlUla) +37secs
7 Brieuc Rolland (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) Same time
8 Andreas Leknessund (Nor/Uno-X Mobility)
9 Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1min 6secs
10 Fred Wright (GB/Bahrain Victorious) +1min 12secs