Detunink-Quickstep's Remco Evenepoel spread his wings on stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos, which finished on the summit of the Picon Blanco, winning the five-day Spanish stage race with two days to go and moving into the race lead. Behind him, George Bennett of Jumbo Visma finished second, 18 seconds behind the Belgian in the overall standings.

"It was a great stage and I am happy with the result," Bennett said on the team's website after the tough and windy 150-km stage from Sargentes de la Lola to Picon Blanco.

"It was a very hot, hard, fast stage. The guys did a great job of guiding Sepp (Kuss) and me out of the chaos of Echelon and we were able to hold a good position until the final climb."

"We were in a good group in the echelon and had great support from the team. As a result, I was able to save a lot of energy. It was top-notch riding until the bottom of the climb," Bennett said.

"On the climb, Mitchelton Scott was very fast. It was hard to keep my rhythm and keep up with them."

"When Chavez attacked, I didn't hesitate for a second. But today Evenepoel was too strong. The next two days will be hard."

Jumbo-Visma sport director Arthur van Dongen was very pleased with Bennett's form and the work of the entire team.

"We had a very good stage as a team," he said. The breakaway was perfectly controlled by Team Ineos and Bora-Hansgrohe, and we rode carefully at the front of the peloton all day to limit risk."

"But when the wind picked up and the peloton split at the echelon, there was much confusion and spectacle. 'Everyone stayed calm and supported George and Sepp as best they could. George was very, very strong today.

"We need to stay sharp and focused for the next two days, especially with the wind here in Burgos," concluded van Dongen.

The riders face Friday's 163-km stage 4 from Bodegas Naval to Loa de Duero, a stage more suited to sprinters than climbers, but a tricky uphill section in the last kilometer could squeeze a few stage hunters.

On Saturday, the summit finish at Lagunas de Neira will be the final showdown. Bennett and his Jumbo Visma teammates will do everything in their power to overtake Evenpoel, if Evenpoel is still leading.