Everything was in place for a spectacular race in today’s 185 kilometer third stage of Tour of Denmark. More than 2000 meters of climbing in the undulating terrain with start and finish line in Vejle, the birth town of Rasmus Guldhammer, created the perfect backdrop and the scene was set for aggressive riding. In the end, the CULT Energy Pro Cycling Dane finished second.

Six escapees did their best to keep the peloton behind but the hilly terrain and the endless number of short steep slopes took the best out of the legs of the breakaway riders. In the peloton, Astana were defending their leader’s jersey and they kept the break on a relatively short leash through the first half of the stage.

Entering the final 50 kilometers, riders started to show signs of fatigue and apparently, the Russian Tinkoff-Saxo team sensed it and started pushing the pace in the pack. Instantly, riders were scattered all over the road and in a matter of a few more hills, the break was caught and the new front group of favorites counted no more than 25 riders including CULT Energy Pro Cycling’s Rasmus Guldhammer and Troels Vinther.

As the group entered Vejle and the 6 kilometer hilly circuit with especially Kiddesvej offering gradients of 20%, Vinther launched a solid attack leaving the group and giving Guldhammer the opportunity to stay at the back of the breakaway. But when Alexander Kamp (Coloquick) counter-attacked, Tinkoff-Saxo were forced to initiate the chase and they bridged the gap in the final 500 meters.

Here, CULT Energy’s Rasmus Guldhammer was in a perfect position behind two-time winner on Kiddesvej, Matti Breschel.  Guldhammer gritted his teeth and obviously gave all he had left but he wasn't able to pass Breschel on the finish line.

With a great result finishing second, Rasmus Guldhammer is now 5th overall:

“Naturally, I’m a bit disappointed. It’s my home town, I have been looking forward to this for a long time and I really wanted to nail it. But I was simply beaten by a stronger rider today and it’s no shame losing a sprint to Matti. With 20-25 kilometers from the finish, I had a puncture and struggled a bit to get back up. Entering the final circuit, Troels [Vinther] did an amazing job. He initiated an attack so I could stay in the back of the group while the others had to work to bring him back in. In the sprint, I was in the right position but lacked the power to go past him. Now, I’m 5th overall and within reach of 4th and I don't think the GC is set," concludes Guldhammer.