With the stage to Saint-Girons, another tough assignment awaited general classification leader Van Bekkum. The Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development talent captured the yellow leader's jersey on Saturday after his victory in the queen stage, which finished on Plateau de Beille.

The breakaway of the day - whic posed no threat to the general classification - took an option on the day's victory for a long time. A few kilometres from the finish line, the last escapee was caught by the chasing group which included Van Bekkum and Huising. The duo from Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development reached the finish line unscathed. Huising eventually finished tenth, which allowed him to take third place on the final podium. Van Bekkum's lead in the general classification was never in danger. He succeeds Staune-Mittet - who made the transition to the WorldTour formation this season - as winner of Ronde de l'Isard. Besides the overall victory, Van Bekkum also won the mountain classification. Team Visma | Lease a Bike Development won the team classification.

“I felt very good today”, Van Bekkum commented afterwards. “Before the start of this stage, we knew what to expect. It was a short stage, so it was tough from the start. A small breakaway ended up in front, which was the perfect situation for us. I sprinted for the mountain points, which also got me the mountain classification. Then I counted down the kilometres to the finish line.”

“Before the start of this stage race, it was a goal of mine to get a good result in the GC. To be able to win here is better than hoped, so I am hugely satisfied with this win. Having Menno standing next to me on the final podium made it even better. He is a good friend of mine. Every season we spend a lot of time together during the races. I am very happy for him.”

Sports director Sierk Jan de Haan looks back on his rider's victory with pride. “Today was a short but tough stage. Our goal was to have four or five riders ride in front and that worked out well. In the peloton, we were able to take control. Both Tomos Pattinson and Jonas Høydal were doing a fantastic job of keeping Darren and Menno in a good position. Darren's overall victory, Menno's third place and wins in the mountain and team classification are simply amazing.”

Photos: Florian Frison