This page contains the stage podium, the race story, GC implications after the stage, and per-rider performance. Read no further if you intend to watch this stage unspoiled.
Zoe Bäckstedt (Canyon//SRAM) powered to a dominant bunch sprint in Bad Ragaz after the day's breakaway was caught, beating Lily Williams and Shari Bossuyt. Elisa Longo Borghini retained the yellow jersey on a day disrupted by a late crash that dropped Lauren Dickson from second on GC.
Stage 3 was a 120 km circuit-based road stage around Bad Ragaz that ended in a reduced bunch sprint. The day's breakaway was reeled in with just over 20 kilometres remaining, setting up a hectic run-in. Canyon//SRAM organised the lead-out and Zoe Bäckstedt launched from distance in the final straight, winning by several bike lengths over Lily Williams and Shari Bossuyt — the British rider's ninth professional victory.
The finale was chaotic: Lauren Dickson, lying second overall, crashed inside the final 5 kilometres. With a five-kilometre run-in rule in play the time consequences were initially uncertain, but she fell out of second place on the general classification. The GC contenders finished safely together, leaving the overall picture among the favourites unchanged ahead of the time trial.
Elisa Longo Borghini retained the overall lead after the bunch finish, with Marlen Reusser now sitting at around 55 seconds in the GC picture heading into the stage 4 time trial. Bäckstedt's win came from well down the standings (she is not a GC factor) and did not alter the top of the classification. The principal change among the leaders was Lauren Dickson dropping out of second overall following her late crash.
A quiet, successful day for the race leader: Longo Borghini stayed out of trouble in the bunch finish and retained the yellow jersey, conceding nothing to her GC rivals ahead of the decisive time trial.