Stage 3 of the Tour of Denmark runs 202.9 km from Fredericia to Vejle and is classified as a hilly stage with a hill finish, making it the first real selective day of the race. The Vejle arrival is a classic puncher's finish that rewards riders combining high Hills ratings with Sprint punch rather than pure climbers. At 2.Pro level the race attracts a quality field led by WorldTour names, but the relatively accessible difficulty means strong domestiques and breakaway specialists can also feature.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Wout van Aert is the standout pick with the highest Hills score in the field (77), elite Sprint and TT backing stats, and a Legendary card that reflects his class. He is the designated leader for Visma - Lease a Bike and confirmed for this race, making him the clear favourite for a stage that suits his punching power perfectly.
Visma - Lease a Bike
Visma - Lease a Bike
Wout van Aert tops the startlist with a Hills rating of 77 and an all-around profile (Sprint 76, TT 79) that makes him dangerous on any hilly finish. His Legendary rarity and confirmed race participation put him head and shoulders above the field.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Christophe Laporte and Corbin Strong both carry Hills ratings of 74–75 and the tactical intelligence to challenge on a reduced-group hill finish. Laporte benefits from riding alongside van Aert, creating a two-card threat for Visma, while Strong's confirmed World Championships build-up suggests peak summer form for NSN Cycling.
Visma - Lease a Bike
Visma - Lease a Bike
Christophe Laporte (Hills 74, Sprint 73, TT 74) is a proven classics-style puncher who excels on rolling finishes and provides Visma with a second card to play behind van Aert. His well-rounded stats make him a genuine threat if the race opens up.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Corbin Strong carries a Hills rating of 75 and a Sprint of 73, giving him the tools to contest a reduced-group finish on the Vejle hill. The NSN Cycling team is well represented in Denmark, and Strong is confirmed for the World Championships road race, suggesting he is in top form.
★★
Dark Horses
Tibor del Grosso, Anders Foldager, and Søren Kragh Andersen all hold Hills 74–75 and have recent similar-profile results to back their inclusion. Foldager's two podiums in nine comparable races stand out, del Grosso's Epic rarity signals upside, and Kragh Andersen's local knowledge of Danish roads adds an intangible edge.
Jayco AlUla
Jayco AlUla
Anders Foldager matches the 75 Hills benchmark and has two podiums in nine similar-profile races recently, including a best finish of 2nd, making him one of the better-credentialed finishers in the field. The Jayco AlUla rider is quietly consistent on hilly stages.
Lidl-Trek
Lidl-Trek
Søren Kragh Andersen (Hills 74, TT 73, Sprint 73) is a Danish rider who will know the Vejle roads intimately and brings a strong all-round profile that suits a hard hilly finish. His Lidl-Trek team support and home-race motivation are significant factors.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Alpecin-Premier Tech
Tibor del Grosso (Hills 75, Cobbles 75) has the second-highest Hills score among non-Visma riders and posted a best result of 4th in similar-profile races across nine outings, showing consistent competitiveness. His Epic rarity reflects genuine upside on punchy terrain.
★
Ones to Watch
Nick Schultz, Martin Marcellusi, Samuele Zoccarato, and Casper Pedersen round out the top 10 as riders with solid Hills stats (72–75) who lack the form data or team firepower to be rated higher. Any of them could feature in a break or a splintered finale, making them valuable fantasy picks at lower cost.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Casper Pedersen (Hills 73, TT 71) is a confirmed starter with a solid punching profile and Soudal Quick-Step backing, giving him race-reading experience on hilly Danish terrain. A dangerous outsider if the peloton fractures early.
Bardiani CSF
Bardiani CSF
Martin Marcellusi posts a Hills 74 and Climbing 72 combination that suits this profile, and his confirmed entry suggests a targeted approach to Denmark. A low-profile but statistically credible one to watch.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Nick Schultz (Hills 75, Climbing 72) has the raw stats to trouble the leaders on a hill finish but lacks the recent form data to justify a higher tier. Worth monitoring as a wildcard for a breakaway or reduced-group sprint.
MBH Bank CSB
MBH Bank CSB
Samuele Zoccarato (Hills 72, Climbing 71) is one of the better climber-punchers in the MBH Bank CSB squad and could animate a break on the road to Vejle. His Rare card rating hints at above-average potential relative to his team peers.
Verdict
Wout van Aert is the overwhelming favourite given his 77 Hills rating, Legendary status, and all-round ability to dominate reduced-group finishes; Christophe Laporte and Corbin Strong are the most credible challengers should van Aert be managed or neutralised by team tactics.