Max Hinds delivered a superb, long-range solo stage victory the for Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy at the Tour of Armenia.
The 19-year-old Brit broke clear on the final climb of the race’s Queen Stage, eventually claiming a solo victory by 36 seconds over fellow escapee Lorenzo Ginestra (Swatt Club).
The duo had been on the attack from around 20 kilometres into the race’s third stage, combining well as their advantage spun out to the peloton behind.
The victory represented a first win for Hinds for the team, and a 10th success for the Netcompany INEOS Racing Academy in 2026.
Fletcher Medway came into the weekend in third place overall, and still remains the team’s best-placed rider overall, sitting 12th with one stage remaining.
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Max Hinds: “About 20 kilometres out we ended up [in the break] as two. Both of us were in a breakaway of seven or eight just before this, but it wasn’t so cooperative. It ended up coming back and he went and I followed. It was two of us, we were riding away and the peloton was letting it go. We thought we’d take it easy and maybe a few more guys come across - then we realised no one else was coming.
“We agreed we wouldn’t go super hard and just keep it at a steady pace and hopefully the peloton lets us get out - as there’s still another 140km to go. We just kept it going but nothing crazy. I think a lot of the teams were quite happy to let the break go and worry about GC. We agreed to keep it rolling to the bottom of the climb and then we raced each other.”