The main objective during today’s 161.3 kilometer long third stage of Tour of Luxembourg from Eschweiler to Diekirch was to defend the overall lead. In spite of a tenacious effort from solo escapee Rodolfo Torres, CULT Energy Pro Cycling managed to hold on to the leader's jersey after catching Torres on the finish line.

Seven riders formed the early break but no one was really threatening Linus Gerdemann in the GC. CULT Energy Pro Cycling accepted the responsibility of charging the chase and the escapees were held on a short leash. Entering the local hilly circuit in Diekirch, several teams with different interests joined forced on the front of the field. The increasing pace in both field and breakaway had consequences in both groups and ultimately, only Rodolfo Torres (Colombia) had the stamina to challenge the chasing herd.

In the very final meters of the stages, the Colombian was swept up and the German super sprinter André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) took another stage win while CULT Energy Pro Cycling's Christan Mager finished 5th. Linus Gerdemann was well-protected throughout the stage and retains the overall lead before tomorrow's final challenge.

DS Luke Roberts reports:

"It was actually a pretty messy start of the stage with narrow roads and lumpy terrain but the boys demonstrated sound judgement of the situation and eventually let seven riders go in a break. I wouldn't call it a day in the office, but the chase never became chaotic. We wanted to hold them close in order to maintain control and the boys worked hard throughout the day on the front to keep the front group in eyesight. Christian Mager did a lot of work in the first part of the stage but still he had enough left in the tank to pick up a nice result for himself. Linus finished safely in the bunch and holds on to the jersey. Tomorrow's stage will be tough in the beginning with several steep climbs but the way the boys are riding and the strength they're showing, we'll have a pretty good chance of putting the overall win in the pocket tomorrow."