Lauren Stephens tightened her grip on the 2025 Tour of the Gila overall with a third straight stage win, outsprinting Minori Minagawa to take victory in Fort Bayard on stage 3. The Aegis Cycling Mixed Team rider has now extended her GC advantage to 1:30 over Sidney Swierenga and 2:18 over teammate Emma Langley.
Friday’s stage sent the women’s peloton deep into the Gila National Forest, climbing to 7,200 feet before descending sharply into the finish. The terrain proved selective but not decisive, with a reduced group arriving together for the finale. Stephens, already leading the race and the mountains classification, showed no signs of letting up and finished fastest in the dash to the line.
Minagawa delivered her best ride of the race so far with second place for Fount Cycling, while Langley crossed the line in third, protecting her podium position in the GC and staying in the polka dot jersey.
Swierenga, riding with maturity beyond her years, stayed in touch to retain the white jersey for Best Young Rider. Ellexi Snover, also of Fount Cycling, defended her green jersey with another consistent showing through the intermediate sprint points.
With two stages remaining, Stephens remains unbeaten in this year’s race and leads the general, mountain, and team standings. Only a major shake-up or crash appears likely to derail her campaign for a second consecutive overall win in Silver City.
2025 Tour of the Gila Stage 3 result
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Main photo credit: Tour of the Gila
