Stage Report: Another day of crashes, from the start to the finish riders were hitting the tarmac. Primoz Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) was the main loser of the GC men, but he wasn’t the only one. In the sprint The yellow jersey of Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix) led-out Tim Marlier for the stage win. The Dutchman held his overall lead.
*** The full ‘PEZ Stage Report’ very soon. ***
Tour stage win for Tim Merlier
– The final kilometre of Stage 3 and read our full report and pics below:-
Tim Merlier won a chaotic third stage of the 2021 Tour de France. The Alpecin-Fenix sprinter was the fastest from a thinned-out peloton in the streets of Pontivy after almost 183 kilometres. The yellow jersey remains in the hands of teammate Mathieu van der Poel, who survived the crazy final. Top favourite Primož Roglič lost valuable time due to a late crash.
Stage 3 profile
Tour boss, Christian Prudhomme describes stage 2: “Warren Barguil, best climber of the 2017 Tour should have all eyes on him as he takes off from his birth area. But he shouldn’t be in the spotlights at the finish: by the Château des Rohan, the sprinters certainly won’t want to miss out on this first opportunity they have to express themselves on this edition.”
Van der Poel looking good in yellow
Mathieu van der Poel and girlfriend Roxanne Bertels at the start of stage 3 in Lorient
Everything yellow – Mathieu’s new bike
Nice!
Esteban Chaves (BikeExchange) has his banana and is ready for stage 3 from Lorient to Pontivy
Ide Schelling (BORA-hansgrohe) looking for KOM points
More bandages for Tony Martin
The break was not allowed too much time
The peloton wasn’t at full speed, but not hanging around either
Schelling didn’t stay in the break
Mark Cavendish was very active during the stage
Rain showers on most of the course
Sprint chaos as Sagan and Ewan hit the deck
Tim Marlier – The fastest sprinter in the Tour?
Another stage win for Alpecin-Fenix
Damage to Peter Sagan – Caleb Ewan was much worse
Mathieu, more than happy
Tour de France Stage 3 Result:
1. Tim Merlier (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix in 4:01:28
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix
3. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Arkea-Samsic
4. Davide Ballerini (Ita) Deceuninck – Quick-Step
5. Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious
6. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck – Quick-Step
7. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix
8. Cees Bol (Ned) DSM
9. Anthony Turgis (Fra) TotalEnergies
10. Maximilian Walscheid (Ger) Qhubeka-NextHash.
Tour de France Overall After Stage 3:
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned) Alpecin-Fenix in 12:58:53
2. Julian Alaphilippe (Fra) Deceuninck – Quick-Step at 0:08
3. Richard Carapaz (Ecu) INEOS Grenadiers at 0:31
4. Wout Van Aert (Bel) Jumbo-Visma
5. Wilco Kelderman (Ned) BORA-hansgrohe at 0:38
6. Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates at 0:39
7. Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar at 0:40
8. Nairo Quintana (Col) Arkea-Samsic
9. Pierre Latour (Fra) TotalEnergies at 0:45
10. Sergio Higuita Garcia (Col) EF Education-Nippo at 0:52.