Stage 3 of the Czech Tour covers 170.9 km from Pardubice to the mountain-top finish at Dlouhé stráně, a classic summit arrival that will shed any remaining sprinters and puncheurs. Classified as a 2.Pro mountain stage, it demands genuine climbing ability over a sustained finale. This is effectively a GC decider and will favour pure climbers over all-rounders.
★★★★
Topfavoriet
Mikel Landa stands alone at the top with a climbing rating of 79, well clear of the rest of the field, and his Legendary card rarity reflects a career built on mountain finishes at the highest level. His targeted appearance at the Czech Tour, followed by the Vuelta, signals peak summer condition and serious intent on this mountain stage.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the startlist with the highest climbing stat (79) and is the lone Legendary-rarity rider in the field. His pedigree on mountain finishes is unmatched here, and his presence at the Czech Tour signals targeted preparation.
★★★
Sterke Kanshebbers
Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt are the two most complete climbing packages after Landa. Jegat has the deepest recent data set in climbing-profile races (11 starts, best of 7th), while Hirt combines a 75 climbing score with seven recent mountain-stage appearances and confirmed Vuelta preparation sharpening his legs.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jan Hirt (climbing 75) has seven recent climbing-profile races and a best of 9th, showing he can challenge when the road goes up. His upcoming Vuelta slot confirms strong summer form and serious climbing ambitions.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat carries a climbing score of 76 and has the deepest sample of similar-profile races (11 starts), posting a best of 7th. His consistency across mountain stages makes him a genuine threat on the Dlouhé stráně finish.
★★
Buitenbeentjes
Jan Castellon's nine-race recent record with a podium and four top-10s in climbing-profile events is the most impressive finishing résumé outside the top two. Luca Covili adds a best of 5th in similar terrain, and Mauri Vansevenant's hills score of 76 — highest among the three-star-and-below riders — makes him dangerous on any steep final kilometre.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Jan Castellon (climbing 75) has nine recent climbing-profile races with a podium finish and four top-10s, by far the best combined record in the field. His average of 22.4 masks elite days on steep terrain.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili (climbing 73) has seven climbing-profile races in recent form and a best of 5th, with one top-10 among them. His confirmed Czech Tour start and solid hill stats make him a credible dark horse.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant (climbing 73, hills 76) offers excellent all-round mountain capability backed by Soudal Quick-Step team support. His hills score is one of the highest in the field and he is confirmed for this race.
★
Om in de Gaten te Houden
Jack Haig has the climbing pedigree but inconsistent recent form (avg 42.2 across six races). Joe Blackmore's hills stat of 77 is elite but untested in recent data. Alessandro Fancellu's single-race 6th place is an intriguing form signal. Bob Jungels rounds out the quartet as an experienced INEOS rider who can never be fully discounted on a mountain finish.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu (climbing 73) is the form pick of the entire field, posting a 6th-place finish in his one recent climbing-profile race. Limited sample size keeps him at one star, but he is worth watching closely.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Bob Jungels (climbing 73) brings experience and a well-rounded stat profile, including a solid TT score of 71 that could matter across the GC. His INEOS Grenadiers team gives him race intelligence and support on the final climb.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig (climbing 75) is a seasoned mountain rider for INEOS Grenadiers, though his recent average of 42.2 across six climbing-profile races suggests inconsistency. A strong team around him could set up a late move.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Joe Blackmore (climbing 73, hills 77) has exceptional hills stats and Epic rarity, giving him upside on a mountain finish. He has no recorded recent climbing-profile results but is confirmed for the Czech Tour.
Verdict
Mikel Landa is the commanding favourite thanks to the field's highest climbing stat and his Legendary pedigree on summit finishes, while Jordan Jegat and Jan Hirt represent the most credible challengers based on recent form in similar-profile races.