The peloton remained in Galicia for Stage 3 of La Vuelta. Despite the absence of classified climbs, the final 40km along the stunning Atlantic coast were marked by a rolling terrain. Unfortunately, Eleonora Ciabocco DNS following yesterday’s crash. Unlike the previous stages, the breakaway formed immediately, with Felicity Wilson-Haffenden and Sterre Vervloet going clear. Their advantage approached four minutes at its pek. Entering the hilly finale, the Belgian rider lost contact, while Wilson-Haffenden continued solo until 14km to go, shortly after the intermediate sprint where Kopecky and Koch picked up a few bonus seconds behind.
Soon after, on an uphill section, Kasia Niewiadoma raised the pace, reducing the peloton. Koch, Berthet and Bossuyt were briefly dropped but managed to return. Kristen Faulkner then tried to attack, but SD Worx and FDJ quickly closed her down. Niewiadoma accelerated again with 7km to go, though once more without making the difference. At 2 km from the finish, Cédrine Kerbaol launched a solo move, with one of her teammates disrupting the chase behind. The attack caught the peloton by surprise and the reaction came too late, allowing the French rider to build a decisive gap which hold on until the line, claiming her 2nd Grand Tour stage win! Four seconds later, Kopecky won the sprint for second ahead of Van Dam, Lippert and Blasi. Franziska Koch successfully defended the red jersey, leading by just 2" over Kopecky and 4" over Kerbaol. Among the GC riders Berthet and Kastelijn lost time, closing 1'44" down.