In what could be the final race of his career, Karsten Kroon animated today's third stage of the Tour of Beijing. The Dutchman was part of a strong breakaway that was caught on the final climb less than 15km from the finish.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s Karsten Kroon took part in the long-lasting breakaway during today’s 176 kilometer long third stage of Tour of Beijing from Yanqing to Qianjiadian Chao Yang Temple where the stage finished in a bunch sprint.

38-year-old Kroon took off with four other riders and they worked together brilliantly throughout the stage. Behind, the peloton started chasing with 40 kilometers to go and the high pace detached clutches of riders from the pack as they slalomed through the undulating terrain.

As the front group started to crumble, Kroon however maintained a seat in the break until 13 kilometers to go, halfway up the final climb, and immediately new attacks were launched from the bunch. Kroon’s teammate Rory Sutherland created a small gap at the top of the climb but on the descent, everyone was brought back.

On the flat run-in to the finish line, the sprinter teams were all lined up for the frantic bunch sprint and Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Sharp) catapulted himself forward and made it past Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEdge) who was delivered too early in the headwind gallop.

Tinkoff-Saxo DS Fabrizio Guidi comments:

“It was another rather predictable stage. Due to the combination of terrain and team line-ups, we knew the risk of a bunch sprint conclusion was the most realistic outcome. And as we don’t have any sprinters in our line-up we are forced to play our cards differently and Karsten did a very good job in the breakaway.

"Tomorrow’s stage is going to be somewhat harder and there’s a better chance of making it all the way int he breakaway. However, it is a day for the GC riders and if you’re still in contention in the overall classification, it’ll be difficult to stay away."

Philippe Gilbert (BMC) still leads overall.