After the second stage André Greipel has now also won the third stage of the Ster ZLM Toer. It was a stage with start and finish in Buchten, over some hills in Dutch Limburg. A front group of eight was caught in time, so the peloton could sprint for the victory.

André Greipel beat Moreno Hofland, the difference was only a few millimetres. Edward Theuns was third. Greipel remains GC leader. The German champion could rely on the Lotto Soudal train again.

“There was a headwind in the finale. Lars Bak brought us into the last one and a half kilometres. Then I took over. Afterwards it was up to Jens Debusschere and Greg Henderson. André was a bit tired, but he won. It took about an hour before a group got away. Somebody in the break was close in GC, so we couldn’t give them much space. Dennis Vanendert immediately went to the head of the peloton, later Sean De Bie helped him pulling,” Marcel Sieberg said.

“Lotto NL – Jumbo and Trek helped later as well. When the best placed rider was caught, we took it easy. Other teams started to chase. The escapees were caught in time.

"Two weeks before the Tour it’s nice that we win here twice. Tomorrow it’s a tough stage in the Ardennes, tonight I will drink a small Belgian beer to celebrate today’s victory (laughs).”