Stage 3 of the Czech Tour covers 170.9 km from Pardubice to the mountain-top finish at Dlouhé stráně, a well-known Czech climb that rewards pure climbers. The 2.Pro stage race classification and mountain profile mean GC ambitions will be settled here, with the final ascent acting as a natural selection. Teams will look to control the early breakaway before the favourites clash on the summit.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Mikel Landa stands alone at the top with a climbing score of 79 — six points clear of the next best — and is the only Legendary card in the race. Racing toward La Vuelta, he has every incentive to target a stage win here, and the mountain finish plays directly to his greatest strengths.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mikel Landa tops the climbing rankings at 79 — well clear of the field — and is the only Legendary-rarity rider in the startlist. His Vuelta preparation block suggests he is racing into form, and a mountain finish at Dlouhé stráně suits his profile perfectly.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Jordan Jegat and Jan Castellon both score 75 climbing and have the most credible recent records in this profile. Jegat brings volume (11 comparable races, best of 7th) while Castellon brings peak results (one podium, four top-10s in nine races). Either could take second if Landa slips.
Caja Rural
Caja Rural
Jan Castellon carries a climbing score of 75 and has the most encouraging recent form among the mid-pack, averaging 22.4 across 9 climbing-profile races with one podium and four top-10s, including a best of 2nd. That podium pedigree makes him a genuine threat on the Dlouhé stráně ascent.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Jordan Jegat posts a climbing score of 76 and has 11 similar-profile races in recent form, recording a best finish of 7th. The Epic-rarity TotalEnergies climber is consistent enough over mountain finishes to challenge for the podium.
★★
Dark Horses
Jan Hirt, Jack Haig, and Alessandro Fancellu form a compelling second tier. Hirt and Haig both sit at 75 climbing with team backing, while Fancellu's 6.0 average finishing position in recent climbing races is the best in the entire field — though his single-race sample demands caution.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Alessandro Fancellu leads all riders in recent climbing-profile form with an average finishing position of 6.0 from his one comparable race, backed by a climbing score of 73. Small sample aside, that result signals genuine climbing fitness heading into Stage 3.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Jack Haig matches Hirt at 75 climbing and brings INEOS Grenadiers team support, though his recent form in climbing races has been patchy with an average of 42.2 over six outings. On a good day the Australian can produce a strong mountain finish.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jan Hirt scores 75 for climbing and has raced seven similar-profile events in the last 90 days, averaging 15.7 with a best of 9th. The NSN Cycling veteran knows how to read a mountain stage and could sneak into the top five.
★
Ones to Watch
Luca Covili, Mauri Vansevenant, Joe Blackmore, and Geoffrey Bouchard are the outsiders worth monitoring. Covili and Bouchard bring respectable recent form, Vansevenant's hills score of 76 suits steep ramps, and Blackmore's Epic rarity with a 77 hills rating makes him a genuine wildcard on a tough summit finish.
TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies
Geoffrey Bouchard posts a climbing score of 73 and brings TotalEnergies team support alongside Jegat. His consistent presence in climbing races over recent months makes him a useful outsider pick for a stage that rewards patient, efficient climbers.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Joe Blackmore is an Epic-rarity rider with a climbing score of 73 and an outstanding hills rating of 77, the joint-highest in the field. His attacking capabilities on steep gradients make him a wildcard on a mountain finish.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Luca Covili has a climbing score of 73 and the best-rounded recent form among the lower-ranked contenders: seven climbing races with a best of 5th and an 18.4 average. He is a credible long-shot for a surprise top-ten.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Mauri Vansevenant scores 73 climbing with an impressive hills score of 76, suggesting he handles punchy, steep terrain well. Soudal Quick-Step team support and the backing of Landa give him a protective role, but he may be freed if the race is decided early.
Verdict
Mikel Landa is the clear favourite: his class-leading climbing score of 79, Legendary rarity, and pre-Vuelta form block make him the rider to beat at Dlouhé stráně, with Jordan Jegat and Jan Castellon the most likely challengers from a closely matched chasing group.