The Dane won as a puncher ahead of the Briton Oscar Onley and the Slovenian Matej Mohoric, at the end of a 157 kilometer stage, at the top of a 1,500 meter climb partly in "gravel", with a drop approaching places 20%.
Thanks to this success, Vingegaard climbs to second position in the general classification, one second behind the Italian Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious), the winner of the first two stages, who finished fifth on Thursday.
"It was an extremely difficult final, but the legs were very good", rejoiced Vingegaard.
"The form is there so I will try to play the general. I am very happy with my current condition. I am in much better shape than last season at this time", continued the winner of the last Grande Boucle who made of the Tour of Lombardy (October 8) the objective of its end of the season.
This success in Croatia should reassure the rider who had experienced "difficult times" after the Tour, according to his sporting director Frans Maassen.
Vingegaard had given up participating in the recent world championships in Australia.
Friday, the 4th stage of the Tour of Croatia connects Biograd na Moru to Crikvenica (219 km), along the Adriatic Coast.
© 2022 AFP