Tim Merlier Wins Stage Three of Tour de France in Dunkirk After Philipsen Crash
Tim Merlier claimed victory in stage three of the Tour de France in Dunkirk, following a crash that forced points classification leader Jasper Philipsen out of the race 60 kilometers from the finish.
Merlier’s celebrations were subdued after another incident three kilometers from the end, which involved his Soudal Quick-Step team leader, Olympic road race champion Remco Evenepoel. Evenepoel managed to continue and completed the stage.
The flat stage through Pas de Calais and Nord, initially expected to end in a sprint finish, took a contentious turn when French rider Bryan Coquard caused a collision that led to Philipsen’s withdrawal.
Philipsen, riding for Alpecin Deceuninck, was competing in the intermediate sprint at Isbergues when Coquard shifted right and made contact with an Intermarché Wanty cyclist before veering into the Belgian’s path, resulting in a crash.
With the race’s leading sprinter out of contention, the stage offered little excitement. The 38 French riders in the peloton showed minimal aggression, and the lack of any breakaway only reinforced the uneventful tone.
No "most combative rider" prize was awarded, as there were few notable attacks. So far, French riders have been more notable for causing incidents, with Coquard’s crash following teammate Benjamin Thomas’s collision with Mattéo Vercher on stage one.
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar saw his teammate Tim Wellens briefly move ahead of the peloton near the stage’s only climb, Mont Cassel, ensuring the UAE Emirates XRG team kept the lead in the climber’s classification. Pogacar amusingly noted his rare stint in the polka-dot jersey: “I’ve only worn it once in six Tours.”
Stage four on Tuesday will take riders from Amiens to Rouen, featuring three climbs in the final 21 kilometers.
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