Baku–Khankendi Stage 3: Gleb Syritsa Wins Bunch Sprint as XDS Astana Secures Double Podium
- Charles Lee
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
On May 12, 2026, Stage 3 of the Baku–Khankendi Azerbaijan Cycling Race took place over 162.9 kilometres from Gabala to Mingachevir. In the end, Gleb Syritsa (XDS Astana Team) proved the strongest in a bunch sprint, claiming the stage victory. Belgium’s Timothy Dupont finished second, while Ecuador’s Cristian David Pita took third place.
With the win, Syritsa also moved into the lead of the points classification, taking the green jersey sponsored by Sea Breeze. The mountains classification jersey (Azerbaijan Airlines) remained with Belgium’s Lennert Teugels, while Spain’s Iker Gomez retained the best young rider jersey (Azvirt). In the general classification, Stage 2 winner Yevgeniy Fedorov continued to hold the overall lead.
The stage started at 9:20 a.m. local time in Gabala under clear skies and temperatures of around 25°C. All 126 riders who completed the previous stage took the start. After a 1.8 km neutralised section, riders tackled a course that was approximately 81% flat, featuring two intermediate sprint points (km 47.5 and 125.5) and one mountain classification (km 85.6), creating a typical sprint stage with disruptive elements.
The first 35 kilometres were relatively controlled, with the peloton remaining compact aside from a few mechanical issues requiring bike changes. Around kilometre 40, five riders launched the day’s first meaningful breakaway, quickly opening a gap and forming the initial leading group. The group included Juan Pedro Lozano, Eduardo Pérez-Landaluce, Marl-Erdene Batmunkh, Ksawier Garnek, Mustafa Tekin, and Owen Musset.
At the first sprint classification in Oğuz (km 47.5), Musset took maximum points, ahead of Garnek and Pérez-Landaluce. By roughly one-third of the race distance, the breakaway had extended its advantage to around 1 minute and 25 seconds.
After 70 kilometres, the Li Ning Star Continental Team increased the pace in the peloton, stretching the group and beginning to control the gap. At the mountain classification in Şeki (km 85.6), Tekin took full points, while Garnek and Pérez-Landaluce continued to contest the standings.
As the race entered the second half, new attacks emerged. At kilometre 102, a group of four riders broke clear from the peloton, including Muradjan Khalmuratov, Nícolas Sessler, Brayan Sánchez, and Tegsh-Bayar Batsaikhan. Shortly after, Yorben Lauryssen and Ksawery Adaszak initiated a chase, helping the peloton close the time gap and bring the various groups closer together.
At the second sprint classification (km 125.5 in Seki), Batsaikhan took first place, followed by Sánchez and Khalmuratov. As the race moved into the final phase, successive breakaway groups were gradually reeled back in, bringing the race back under peloton control.
Inside the final 15 kilometres, Team Tarteletto–Isorex increased the pace, further reducing the gap, and the last breakaway riders were caught with around 2 kilometres remaining. Entering Mingachevir, teams began positioning for the sprint. Li Ning Star attempted an early lead-out, but the move proved premature.
In the final sprint, Fedorov—winner of Stage 2—played a key role in the lead-out for his teammate Syritsa, delivering him into an ideal position. Syritsa then produced a powerful sprint to secure the victory, giving XDS Astana their second stage win of the race.
Notably, Syritsa had suffered a puncture with around 21 kilometres to go but managed to return to the peloton and still claim victory, demonstrating strong resilience and form. All 126 riders who started the stage finished within the time limit.
The race continues on May 13 with Stage 4 from Ganja to Naftalan over 152.8 kilometres, where further changes in the general classification are expected.
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