OPATIJA, 3 October 2024 — American Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates) has won the third stage of this year’s CRO Race from Novi Vinodolski to Opatija at a length of 89.5 kilometres, also taking the lead in the general classification.
The stage was originally to run from Otočac to Opatija at a length of 154 kilometres, but strong wind on parts of the road from Senj to Novi Vinodolski forced the race organisers to shorten the stage, thus eliminating the categorised climb up Vratnik and the intermediate sprint in Novi Vinodolski. Also, due to the heavy rain that followed the riders throughout the entire stage, it was decided no bonus points would be awarded in Opatija for either the first pass through the finish line or at the finish itself.
Another UAE Team Emirates rider, Spaniard Igor Arrieta, took second place, while Lund Andresen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) came in third, both 26 seconds behind the stage winner.
With three stages done, McNulty has taken the red jersey with 30 seconds over Italian Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-Kometa) in second and 36 seconds over Andresen in third. Italian Giovanni Lonardi (Polti-Kometa) will be wearing the blue sprinter’s jersey at the starting line of stage four; Dutchman Axel van der Tuuk (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel) has held onto the green climber’s jersey, while the white jersey for best young rider has moved to Dane Tobias Lund Andresen (dsm-firmenich-PostNL).
“I saw an opportunity on the climb, I attacked and I liked the situation, so I tried to stay ahead until the end. Tomorrow is the king stage, I’ll go full gas and we’ll see what happens.” McNulty said briefly.
The shortening of the stage meant that the climb to Bribir began very quickly after the stage start; Dutchman Axel van der Tuuk (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel) took advantage of the situation to firm up his lead in the green jersey contest, being first over the categorised climb. His teammate Tim Marsman (Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel) “covered his back”, taking second, while the last two points went to Frenchman Warren Barguil (dsm-firmenich-PostNL).
With 53 kilometres to go, German Tim Heiduk (INEOS Grenadiers) attacked off the front of the group; after he had solidified a 200-metre gap, American Brandon McNulty (UAE Emirates) set off after him. McNulty quickly caught Heiduk’s wheel, and the duo worked up a 30-second gap over the peloton before McNulty decided to go solo 42 kilometres from the finish line.
This turned out to be a good decision—McNulty’s gap over the group grew to 1’15, while Heiduk was caught back up with 35 kilometres to go. Heiduk was, however, second over the line at the intermediate sprint in Saršoni after McNulty, with three bonus seconds thus going to McNulty, two to Heiduk, and one to Dane Anders Foldager (Jayco-AlUla) in third.
At the finish line in Opatija, race director Vladimir Miholjević gave special thanks on behalf of the organisers to all the race stewards, who worked tirelessly to keep the riders safe and make sure the stage ran smoothly. “Their dedication and professionalism have allowed all stages so far to finish successfully despite the weather, especially today’s stage. We would like to thank them for being an important part of this event, and for keeping both riders and the public alike safe”, emphasised Miholjević.
The cyclists were met at the finish line by Fernando Kirigin, mayor of Opatija, Kristina Đukić, deputy mayor of Opatija, Vlasta Mastrović on behalf of Kvarner Bay Tourist Board and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Suzi Petričić, director of Opatija Tourist Board, and other guests.
Stage four will be held on 4 October from Krk to Labin at a length of 160.5 kilometres.
