Van Aert avoids a crash, changes bikes, and wins the queen stage in Denmark: three out of three

Wout van Aert continues to impress in his return to competition. The Belgian from the Visma Lease a Bike team has also won the third stage of the Tour de Denmark 2026, the toughest of the race, marking his first streak of three consecutive victories in a stage race.

Wout van Aert completes the hat-trick in the Tour de Denmark and also wins the queen stage

The day, contested over 202.9 kilometers between Fredericia and Vejle, was marked as the queen stage due to its nearly 2,500 meters of elevation gain and a constant succession of climbs. Van Aert not only held his ground in the favorites' group but ended up breaking the race in the last kilometer to surpass Lukáš Kubiš, who finished second, while Christophe Laporte completed the podium.

Show of Van Aert: hat-trick in Denmark and nearly seals the victory in the general classification after a finish where he proved to be on another level#pndkr26 | #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/FJc4Wr8wea

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 31, 2026

A day marked by rain, falls, and fatigue

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The stage began under the rain with a breakaway formed by several Danish riders. Among them were Aksel Bech Skot-Hansen, Boas Lysgaard, Andreas Stokbro, and Sylvester Vittinghus Stokbro, who managed to exceed a two-minute lead.

The route toughened the race with double ascents to Tingkaervej, nearly a kilometer at 6.4%, and to Sovej, a shorter but much more demanding climb, with 600 meters at 10.5%. Visma Lease a Bike took much of the control in the peloton, aware that Van Aert was defending the lead.

The rain also turned the descents into a delicate terrain. A multiple fall left many riders cut off, and shortly after, Ashlin Barry went down while riding at the front of the group. Van Aert managed to avoid the impact with a spectacular maneuver, jumping onto the grass, although he had to continue for a few kilometers on his teammate Menno Huising's bike before switching back to his own.

As mentioned: Denmark doesn't give a break and Wout van Aert had another scare after the fall of one of his Visma teammates#pndkr26 | #LaCasadelCiclismo pic.twitter.com/uQ0PrJAhO5

— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) July 31, 2026

Visma toughens the race before the final circuit

After regrouping with the peloton, Van Aert quickly returned to the front positions. Visma increased the pace and reduced the main group to about 30 riders before entering the final circuit in Vejle.

At the front were Andreas Stokbro, William Blume Levy, Marcus Sander Hansen, and Tomáš Kopecký, but Menno Huising's work was reducing their advantage. On the first pass by the finish line, Kopecký was still able to add three seconds of bonus before the favorites finished neutralizing the breakaway.

The decisive move came with an attack from Christophe Laporte, immediately followed by Van Aert. Only Kubiš and Henrik Pedersen were able to respond initially, although later SØren Kragh Andersen, Tomáš Kopecký, and Alexander Kamp also joined.

Van Aert finishes strong in the last kilometer

With Visma represented by Van Aert and Laporte in the front group, both took turns attacking to wear down the rest. Laporte attacked four kilometers from the finish but was quickly neutralized.

Van Aert then took command again. The Belgian increased the pace and launched his final acceleration within the last kilometer. Kubiš was the only one able to stay close, but he couldn't match the leader's speed in the final stretch.

Van Aert opened a small gap and crossed the finish line alone to achieve his third victory in three stages. Kubiš finished second and Laporte completed the podium after his important tactical work throughout the final lap.

With this victory, Van Aert further strengthens his lead in the Tour de Denmark and confirms that his return is exceeding all expectations. After winning with an attack in Aalborg, edging out by millimeters in Skive, and now dominating the queen stage in Vejle, the Belgian presents a perfect record of three victories in three days.