Ruta del Sol 2026: Fretin wins punchy finish sprint, Roméo still leads

fotobureau Cor VosOn the testing uphill finish in Lopera, Milan Fretin outsprints Paul Penhoët and Christophe Laporte. Iván Romeo remains in charge of the overall standings, as Laporte climbs to third. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 3rd stage 2026 Ruta del Sol

1. Milan Fretin (bel) 4:11:13
2. Paul Penhoët (fra) s.t.
3. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
4. Sandy Dujardin (fra) s.t.
5. Tom Crabbe (bel) s.t.
6. Alex Aranburu (spa) s.t.
7. Nicolò Buratti (ita) s.t.
8. Tom Pidcock (gbr) s.t.
9. Jon Barrenetxea (spa) s.t.
10. Fernando Gaviria (col) s.t.

GC after stage 2
1. Iván Romeo (spa)
2. Andreas Leknessund (nor) + 0:07
3. Christophe Laporte (fra) + 0:50
4. Alex Aranburu (spa) + 0:54
5. Fred Wright (gbr) s.t.
6. Jon Barrenetxea (spa) s.t.
7. Alessandro Fancellu (ita) s.t.
8. Bastien Tronchon (fra) s.t.
9. Aleksandr Vlasov (rus) s.t.
10. Gotzon Martín (spa) s.t.

Race report
Josh Burnett, Samuel Flórez and Giosuè Epis launch an early breakaway. Nicolás Alustiza joins them, and the four riders establish a 4-minute lead over the peloton.

The peloton comes back together in the last 10 kilometres, leaving it to the fast men.

In Lopera, the final stretch climbs sharply, setting up an exciting sprint. Milan Fretin takes the win, just ahead of Paul Penhoët and Christophe Laporte.

Iván Romeo stays at the top of the overall standings, with Laporte advancing to third thanks to time bonuses.

Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2026 Ruta del Sol.