Published on : 08/20/2026
Alex Aranburu confirmed his strong form at the Tour du Limousin. After a particularly demanding stage between Saint-Privat and Égletons, the Basque rider took 3rd place, his third podium in five days. He also gained four seconds in the general classification and is now 27 seconds behind the leader.
Raced in the rain at the start of the day, this third stage got underway at a very high pace. After nearly an hour and a half of racing, eleven riders finally managed to break away.
On the toughest course of this year's edition, Cofidis had decided to go on the attack in the final 35 kilometres. Hugo Page made a move on the Suc au May, before Alex Aranburu and Camille Charret also tried their luck.
With 13 kilometres to go, Alex Aranburu attacked again on the Côte de Saint-Yrieix-le-Déjalat in an attempt to bridge across to the lone leader. After being caught and then countered by the other GC contenders, the Basque rider could count on a big effort from Valentin Ferron to bring him back to the group of favourites.
Around twenty riders eventually battled for victory in Égletons. Alex Aranburu took 3rd place to claim his third podium in five days. Thanks to the bonus seconds, he gained four seconds in the general classification and remains 3rd overall, now 27 seconds behind the leader ahead of tomorrow's final stage.
Reaction:
Sports director Benjamin Giraud :
“Another 3rd place after a very animated stage. The plan was to make it an aggressive race and take some risks in the final 35 kilometres to try to shake up the general classification. That's what we did, and the team rode very well collectively around Alex. Groupama-FDJ controlled the race very well and we eventually headed towards a sprint with around twenty riders. Alex finished 3rd. There is obviously a little disappointment because he had the qualities to win on this type of finish.”