The 20-year-old, who also won a yellow jersey, made his decisive move with just three kilometers remaining, breaking clear from the peloton and holding off the chasing riders to cross the line solo. At the 1 km mark, he had a lead of 45 seconds, which had slightly narrowed to 35 seconds, while Pau Marti, in the yellow jersey, struggled to maintain pace in the chasing group.
Earlier in the stage, the front group of 12 riders had established a 50-second gap over the peloton, featuring riders such as Ribeiro, Mulugeta, Mulubrhan, Aman, Vanhuffel, and Marti. Zomermaand also claimed the final climbing points at Bushenge Hill (km 127), edging past Mulubrhan and Vanhuffel. Solo breakaway attempts by Eritrea’s Nahom Araya earlier in the stage added drama, but the chasing group gradually reeled him back, including Duarte Marivoet of Lotto – Groupe Wanty.
Rwanda’s top rider
Rwanda’s own Samuel Niyonkuru of Team Amani finished 10th, emerging as the highest-placed Rwandan on Stage 3. Tackling the hilly 145 km course with determination, Niyonkuru stayed with the leading group for most of the stage, fending off the chasing pack to secure a top-ten finish.
Stage 3 Results (Elite – Top 10)
- Jurgen Zomermaand (Development Team Picnic PostNL) – 3:44:53
- Lucas Van Gils (Lotto – Groupe Wanty) – +20.36s
- Matteo Vanhuffel (Development Team Picnic PostNL) – +20.50s
- Henrique Ribeiro (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) – +22.70s
- Jose Said Cisneros Diaz De Leon (Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team) – +28.22s
- Yafiet Mulugeta (Eritrea) – +28.43s
- Henrique Da Silva Avancini (Localiza Meoo / Swift Pro Cycling) – +28.93s
- Oliver Mattheis (Bike Aid) – +29.09s
- Awet Aman (Istanbul Team) – +29.27s
- Samuel Niyonkuru (Team Amani) – +43.81s
The race continues on Wednesday, February 25, with Stage 4 starting in Karongi at 12:00 and concluding in Rubavu over a 127.2 km route.
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