tour france stage 3

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Tour de france: jasper philipsen wins stage 3 after impressive lead-out from mathieu van der poel.

Phil Bauhaus second, Caleb Ewan third in tumultuous bunch sprint into Bayonne

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has blasted to victory in stage 3 of the 2023 Tour de France in a tumultuous bunch sprint ahead of Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) and Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny).

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) remains in the overall lead after a straightforward day for the maillot jaune.

Philipsen received a fine lead-out from teammate Mathieu van der Poel, enabling him to claim the first bunch sprint of the 2023 Tour and the third Tour of his career by half a wheel.

The Belgian had a nervous few minutes after the stage as the commissaries reviewed video footage of the final sprint following allegations that Philipsen moved from his line too much in the sprint, cutting off Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma).

But in what had been a fraught, technical finish, finally, the commissaires ruled that Philipsen was not at fault.

“There was a bit of doubt,” Philipsen said when he was definitively declared the winner before joking, “They [the commissaires] made it quite exciting in the end.

“It was tense, but it’s the Tour de France, there are no presents for nobody. I think everybody goes all in, and I can be really happy with our team today.”

“I had a great lead-out with Jonas [Rickaert], he did a great first part, and then Mathieu did a fantastic job. If Mathieu has the space to go, then for sure, he has the speed. You just know that no other lead-out will pass him.

“It was a tricky finale with the S-bend in the end, so I tried to take the shortest route to the finish. I’m really happy to get first over the line.”

Stage 4 from Dax to Nogaro is 184 kilometres long, even flatter and, as such, also likely to end in another bunch sprint - and another great opportunity for Philipsen.

How it unfolded

Starting deep in the northwest side of the Basque Country with a series of four minor climbs, Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) used the relative calm in the peloton to rack up some more points for his mountains competition lead. After breaking away with Laurent Pichon (Arkéa-Samsic) before the Côte de Trabakua (km 13.8),  Powless racked up maximum points on each ascent as the duo pushed out their initial advantage to nearly four minutes.

Shortly before the mid-stage intermediate sprints banner, stage 2 winner Victor Lafay (Cofidis) then made a counter-attack to take third place and some more points for his green jersey lead. The Frenchman was then swept up by the peloton, but Powless continued his mountain classification points total on each minor small ascent prior to sitting up and letting Pichon head on alone in the final, classified climb-free, 80 kilometres of the stage.

As the race headed out of the Basque hills and towards the French border, the sprinters' teams began to move towards the front, and while Pichon made it into France ahead, his gap was slowly crumbling. Shortly after the coastal town of St. Jean-de-Luz, the Arkéa-Samsic rider’s 160-kilometre break came to an end, although news broke later that he had at least won the Most Combative Rider’s award for his daylong effort.

Lotto-Dstny, Bora-Hansgrohe, Lidl-Trek and Jumbo-Visma kept the speed high, hitting average speeds well above 55 km/h in places on the broad, well-surfaced highways of southwest France. Visibly keen to prevent any last-minute breakaways, despite the notably technical segments and some sharp little uphills, the sprinters’ teams maintained their control over the front end of the peloton.

Suddenly in the last 10 kilometres, Soudal-QuickStep, having worked hard to protect Fabio Jakobsen on the left-hand side of the bunch, made their presence known at the head of the bunch. Then on an interminable series of roundabouts and bends as the race worked its way through the centre of Bayonne, a line of riders from Tour newcomers Uno-X notably matched the Belgian team’s effort on the far side of the road. Fortunately, and unusually for the first Tour sprint stage, despite the tricky finale, there were no crashes reported.

A pronounced U-turn with two kilometres to go, followed by a chicane late on, made for a major reshuffling at the front of the bunch and saw Soudal-QuickStep’s grip on affairs weaken notably. It was hardly coincidental that this was exactly when Alpecin-Deceuninck’s three-man train - Rickaert, Van der Poel and Philipsen - surged forwards.

Van Aert briefly matched Philipsen when Van der Poel finally swung off, but in a chaotic dash for the finish, the Jumbo-Visma man’s late acceleration was curtailed in the last metres as the road swung slightly right. 

Instead, Philipsen could claim the 30th win of his career just ahead of Bauhaus and Ewan, and after his victory last summer on the Champs Élysées, start this year’s Tour bunch sprints in the exact same way that he ended them last year  - with his arms aloft.

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Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews , he has also written for The Independent ,  The Guardian ,  ProCycling , The Express and Reuters .

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Tour de France: Jasper Philipsen wins stage three – as it happened

Adam Yates remains in yellow, while Jasper Philipsen had to survive a trip to the stewards’ room before being confirmed the winner of stage three

• Read Jeremy Whittle’s stage three report
• 3 Jul 2023 Philipsen prevails in chaotic finish at Bayonne
• 3 Jul 2023 General Classification: top five after stage three
• 3 Jul 2023 Stage three: top five finishers
• 3 Jul 2023 Jasper Philipsen is confirmed the winner of stage three!
• 3 Jul 2023 Stage three: Jasper Philipsen wins!
• 3 Jul 2023 Jasper Philipsen wins the stage!!!
• 3 Jul 2023 Intermediate sprint
• 3 Jul 2023 Stage three is under way ...
• 3 Jul 2023 Tour de France 2023: the jerseys
• 3 Jul 2023 Stage two report: Lafay wins as Yates remains in yellow
• 3 Jul 2023 Stage three: Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne (187.4km)

Philipsen prevails in chaotic finish at Bayonne

Stage three report: Jasper Philipsen of Belgium, riding for the Alpecin-Deceuninck team, won the 193.5km third stage of the 2023 Tour de France after a bunch sprint finish in Bayonne.

General Classification: top five after stage three

Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) 13hr 52 min 33sec

Tadej Pogacer (UAE Team Emirates) +06sec

Simon Yates (Jayco–Alula) +06sec

Victor Lafay (Cofidis) +12sec

Wout van Aert +16sec

Stage three: top five finishers

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) 4hr 43min 15sec 2. Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) 3. Caleb Ewan (Lotto–Dstny) 4. Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) 5. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)

💛 @AdamYates7 retains the @MaillotjauneLCL of the race, and @TamauPogi keeps the ⚪ jersey following today's stage! 💛 @AdamYates7 conserve le @MaillotjauneLCL , et @TamauPogi conserve le maillot ⚪ à l'issue de l'étape d'aujourd'hui ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/FShdRfTTeB — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

🔥He won the last #TDF2022 sprint, he wins the first #TDF2023 sprint today in Bayonne ! Well done to @JasperPhilipsen 👏 🔥Il avait gagné le dernier sprint du #TDF2022 , il gagne le premier sprint du #TDF2023 . Bravo @JasperPhilipsen 👏 pic.twitter.com/gIef1z9cBi — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

Jasper Philipsen speaks: He’s naturally delighted with himself but isn’t asked to talk about what happened in the jury room as the interview is conducted by the official Tour TV feed. “I can be really happy with our team performance today, they gave me a great leadout,” he says. “I’m really happy to keep it to the finish line. I tried to take the shortest route to the finish and fortunately I was first over the line.”

Jasper Philipsen is confirmed the winner of stage three!

It’s no disaster for Jasper as he leaves the jury trailer with a big grin on his face that confirms he has won his third Tour de France stage.

Philipsen is summoned to the jury room: Looking grim, he makes his way before the race beaks. On Eurosport, Robbie McEwan says that doesn’t bode well for his chances of keeping the stage.

No word from Jasper Philipsen yet: The stage winner hasn’t been interviewed by Tour TV yet, which suggests he could yet lose it in the stewards’ room. He’s waiting alongside his girlfriend in the hut, watching a replay of the finish on a screen with Tadej Pogacar. He’s looking quite apprehensive.

It’s a little difficult to describe exactly what did for Van Aert in the end – in my completely unbiased opinion, it was a kink in the layout of the barriers that meant he simply couldn’t follow his racing line as long as Philipsen didn’t deviate from his, because he simply ran out of road. If anyone is to blame for Van Aert’s defeat, it’s the race organisers, specifically whoever erected the barriers in such a way that they created a kind of funnel in the closing stages.

Wout van Aert: You can probably expect more angry bidon-flinging from the Belgian, who will see today’s stage as another opportunity lost. He was practically alongside Philipsen with 20 or so metres to go, but the manner in which the barriers were laid out meant that Philipsen only had to keep his racing line to ensure the door was shut on Van Aert, who was forced to sit up. We may have a stewards enquiry, whether or not Jumbo Visma complain, although I don’t think Philipsen did anything wrong. “I would be both surprised and completely dismayed [if Philipsen loses this],” says Robbie McEwan in the Eurosport studio.

Stage three: Jasper Philipsen wins!

After holding off a challenge from Wout van Aeert, who came up his inside but was forced to back off when it became apparent he might end up in the barriers, Philipsen beats Bauhaus and Ewan. He wins by a wheel. Hats off to Mathieu van der Poel, who finished a perfect Alpecin-Deceuninck lead-out by leaving Philipsen in a perfect position to win the stage. Mark Cavendish finished sixth.

Jasper Philipsen wins the stage!!!

Alpecin–Deceuninck give their Belgian rider the perfect lead-out and he wins stage three of this year’s Tour by half a wheel from Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) and Caleb Ewan.

2km to go: The riders negotiate the hairpin before taking a tricky left-hander. Mark Cavendish is still in the mix on the right-hand side of the road behind several team-mates, with Philipsen and Ewan also well placed.

4km to go: The riders negotiate a gentle left-handed turn with another roundabout to negotiate. Uno X-Pro, the team of Alexander Kristoff, are lined up on the right side of ther road.

6km to go: Wout van Aert, Caleb Ewan, Mark Cavendish and Jasper Philipsen are all in good positions but there’s a long way to go.

7km to go: All the big-hitters look well placed with several roundabouts to come. Jasper Philipsen, one of the favourites for today’s stage, gets squeezed after finding himself on the wrong side of the road on his way into one of them and loses several places. Mark Cavendish is on Philipsen’s wheel.

11km to go: The riders of Jumbo Visma are hogging the right-hand side of the wide road, where six different teams can be spotted lined up near the front of the bunch.

14km to go: It’s not looking good for Team Lotto Dstny, as Caleb Ewan’s leadout man Jasper De Buyst is at the back of the bunch struggling, clearly suffering the after effects of a crash yesterday.

16km to go: On assorted team radios, assorted team directors are giving assorted riders the same instruction: “Get to the front and make a bubble”, to help surround and protect their sprinters. There isn’t room up there for all of them, hence the “washing machine” effect.

20km to go: That downhill negotiated, the speed is more sedate 36km per hour. Mark Cavendish is up there among the first 30 riders, surrounded by Astana teammates.

21km to go: Inside the final five kilometres of this stage, the riders will have to tackle three roundabouts, a nightmarish hairpin bend and a bridge before they hit the finish line. They’re currently travelling at 70km per hour. .

25km to go: The bunch continues on its way to Bayonne with the end-of-stage “washing machine” winding up towards it’s spin cycle as riders try to get to the front, get pushed backwards by other riders trying to get to the front etc, and so on.

36km to go: At the end of a largely uneventful day, we’re getting towards the business end of the stage. The bunch is compact, speeding along with the benefit of a tailwind and the teams of assorted sprinting heavyweights trying to hold position at the front. Towards the end of the stage, at the two-kilometre mark, they’ll have to negotiate a hairpin bend that could ruin the chances of many competitors.

38km to go: Laurent Pichon is nothing if not stubborn and continues to give it his all, jaw set in a grimace and knees pumping furiously. He’s about to be swallowed up by the bunch follwing a fine solo effort. Chapeau Lauent! Somewhere in heaven your little piglets are looking down with pride … and possibly a little resentment.

An email: “A pedant writes,” says Dan Levy. “The Tour isn’t leaving the Basque Country today. Part of the Basque country is in France and part in Spain. You will still see signs written in Basque on the way into the Basque city of Bayonne. And I expect the camera will pick out pelota courts on French side of the border too.”

45km to go: The gap is into 38 seconds and Laurent Pichon’s lead is not long for this world. After a long but ultimately doomed day in the spotlight, one suspects he’ll consider it an act of mercy when he is inevitably reeled in by the bunch.

52km to go: Laurent Pichon’s lead is whittled down to a little over one minute as he continues to plough his lone furrow. If he doesn’t win today’s combativity prize and the place on the podium that goes with it, it will be a complete travesty of justice. The official rules say the prize rewards “the rider who gives the biggest effort and shows the best sportsmanship”. It is awarded by a jury chaired by the race director and an online poll. The fact that he is a Frenchman won’t do Laurent’s chances any harm.

❤️ Best team radio ever 🎙 🇫🇷 @lauPichon - @Arkea_Samsic va tout donner ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/v5imUyXr5P — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

61km to go: Another dispatch from the team Arkea Samsic race radio and this one is specifically for Laurent Pichon. We don’t know who it is but it’s a woman’s voice and I suspect it might be from his wife.

“I’m so proud of you, you’re a warrior,” she says. “You give us so much great emotion! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! I love you very much!” Pichon is abojut to leave the Basque country and if he achieves nothing else today, Pichon gets the honour of leading this year’s race into France.

64km to go: Having been left to his own devices by Neilson Powless, Laurent Pichon continues his lonely solo effort with the gap at 2min 11sec. On the subject of yesterday’s sabotage, French Intermarché–Circus–Wanty rider Lilian Calmejane posted this footage of the damage inflicted upon one of his tyres by roadside vandals.

His tweet reads: ““Thank you for this kind of human bullshit. I don’t think I was the only victim of a puncture in the end … know that you can fall and get really hurt with your bullshit you morons.”

Merci pour ce genre de connerie humaine … je pense ne pas avoir été le seul victime de crevaison dans le final … sachez qu’on peut tomber et se faire très mal avec vos conneries bande d’abrutis … 🤬 pic.twitter.com/IoTMolFKgO — Lilian Calmejane (@L_Calmejane) July 2, 2023

74km to go: Neilson Powless is swallowed up by the peloton as Astana rider Alexey Lutsenko punctures and stops to get a replacement back wheel. With a couple of spectators peering on out of curiosity, he points out the offending tack which seems to have been thrown on the road in scenes reminiscent of yesterday, when up to 30 riders punctured after somebody scattered tacks on the road. Apparently some of the locals are unhappy with the road closures prompted by the Tour.

79km to go: Neils Powless and Laurent Pichon continue to motor along, milking the applause of the crowds as they pedal through the streets of San Sebastian. Powless is having the time of his life, waving to the crowd and blowing them kisses.

He decides he’s had enough of being out in front in the breakaway, bumps fists with his French companion, then sits up and waits for his team car to pull alongside him. One of its occupants hands him a musette which he slings over his shoulder before stuffing his pockets with its contents. Laurent Pinchon is now out in front on his own with almost 80 kilometres to go and a lead of 2min 11sec.

🔴⚪️ @NPowless 🇺🇸 gets all mountain points of today' stage! 🗻 Neilson Powless remporte tous les points de la montagne du jour ! #TDF2023 | @maillotapois pic.twitter.com/D2FWu1HpQh — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

90km to go: The road is narrow and the climb steep as Neilson Powless moves ahead of Laurent Pichon to take another KOM point, the final one up for grabs today. This time he punches the air repeatedly for the benefit of the cheering crowds and gets a pat on the back from Pichon. Let’s see what happens, now that Powless has nothing left to ride for today. There are still 90 kilometres to go but the Eurosport commentary team have exhausted so many avenues of conversation that they are now completely bogged down in a long and very boring debate about the merits of various cycling shoes.

93km to go: With the leaders well on their way up the final climb, Wout van Aert drops out of the bunch to have running repairs done on one of his cleats. He remounts, pedals back on his way, takes a drink from his bidon and chucks in the direction of a few kids standing on the side of the road with nowhere near the force he angrily hurled one of its predecessors to the floor upon being beaten in yesterday’s stage finish.

96km to go: There is one categorised climb remaining in today’s stage, the Category 3 Côte d’Orioko Benta. Neilson Powless is almost certain to take the two points on offer again and it will be interesting to see what he does once he’s crossed the line. The gap from he and his fellow escapee Laurent Pichon back to the peloton is two minutes and neither of the two leaders has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the stage. Do they soldier on together in an exercise in total futility? Does Powless leave Pichon to his own devices and sit up to conserve energy for the challenges ahead? Or do both riders allow the peloton to catch them?

An email: “The death of Scarponi was a sickener,” writes Francis Barbuti. “He was run over by a friend of his father’s and left two very small children. Life can be very cruel sometimes. He was also one of the good guys of the peloton and a good rider.”

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Jasper philipsen wins tour de france stage 3; mark cavendish’s record chase continues.

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Belgian Jasper Philipsen earned his third career Tour de France stage win, taking Monday’s third stage in a bunched sprint.

Philipsen held off Wout van Aert and then outleaned Phil Bauhaus and Caleb Ewan for the victory in Bayonne.

It took more than 15 minutes for the result to be made official. Philipsen was close to cutting off van Aert against side barriers, but was deemed to not have impeded his countryman.

“It was a bit of a doubt, but they made it really exciting in the end,” Philipsen said. “It was tense, but it’s the Tour de France. There are no presents.”

TOUR DE FRANCE: Standings | Broadcast Schedule | Stage by Stage

Van Aert ended up fifth, behind Fabio Jakobsen.

Mark Cavendish, in his first real chance to break his tie with Eddy Merckx for career Tour de France stage wins, was sixth.

Cavendish, a 38-year-old from the Isle of Man, remains on 34 Tour stage wins. This is his final Tour before retirement, and he is targeting sprint stages, the next of which is Tuesday.

Philipsen, a 25-year-old who rides for Alpecin–Deceuninck, was a distant second in last year’s sprinter standings to van Aert. Van Aert has said he is not targeting the sprinter title this year, making Philipsen an early favorite for the green jersey.

The overall top five standings went unchanged with Brit Adam Yates in the yellow jersey.

Fireworks at the finish on the first Tour de France sprint stage! #TDF2023 📺: Peacock pic.twitter.com/zGhJ4XqFAR — NBC Sports Cycling (@NBCSCycling) July 3, 2023

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Tour de France 2023 Stage 3 recap: Jasper Philipsen wins tense sprint in Bayonne

• Overall standings

Updated 03/07/2023 at 17:21 GMT

• - LONE LEADER PICHON CAUGHT INSIDE FINAL 40KM AHEAD OF FAST FINISH
• - POWLESS SITS UP TO LEAVE PICHON OUT ALONE AHEAD OF THE PACK
• - STAGE 2 WINNER LAFAY KICKS CLEAR OF PACK AHEAD OF INTERMEDIATE SPRINT
• - POWLESS EXTENDS POLKA DOT LEAD WITH MAXIMUM POINTS OVER FIRST CLIMB

Philipsen storms to Stage 3 win in Bayonne, Van Aert challenge fails again

03/07/2023 at 18:31

'Oh my life!' - Philipsen edges intense sprint finish on Stage 3 in Bayonne

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Tour de France 2023 stage 3 LIVE: Result and winner of bunch sprint in Bayonne

Jasper Philipsen sprinted to victory on stage three of the Tour de France as Adam Yates retained the yellow jersey in Bayonne.

Philipsen had the power to hold off Phil Bauhaus and Caleb Ewan on a slight uphill to the line as Mark Cavendish, seeking a record-breaking 35th career Tour stage victory, came home in sixth place.

Wout van Aert, second on Sunday’s stage in San Sebastian, had tried to challenge Philipsen in the finale but found himself squeezed against the barriers and sat up at the line.

Follow all the latest updates from stage three below:

Tour de France 2023

Jasper Philipsen wins stage 3 in bunch sprint in Bayonne

Mark Cavendish finishes sixth in encouraging performance

Adam Yates retains yellow jersey on quiet day for general classification contenders

Jasper Philipsen sprints to stage three win as Adam Yates remains in yellow

17:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jasper Philipsen was made to wait to start his celebrations after sprinting to victory on stage three of the Tour de France as Adam Yates retained the yellow jersey in Bayonne.

Philipsen took the win ahead of Phil Bauhaus and Caleb Ewan, with Mark Cavendish , seeking a record-breaking 35th Tour stage victory, coming home in sixth, but there was a wait after the stage for the results to be confirmed as the race jury looked to see if Philipsen had impeded Wout Van Aert.

The sprint finish meant there were no major changes at the top of the general classification, with Adam Yates remaining six seconds ahead of UAE Emirates team-mate Tadej Pogacar and twin brother Simon Yates of Jayco-Alula.

On a tight, twisty finish to the stage, characterised by a string of roundabouts and a sharp hairpin two kilometres from the line, Philipsen was delivered into position by Alpecin-Deceuninck team-mate Mathieu van der Poel for the drag up to the line.

Fellow Belgian Van Aert was on his right and challenging for the win, but with a slight kink to the right before the line, the Jumbo-Visma man found himself trapped up against the barriers, sitting up to roll in fifth.

Having been declared the winner, Philipsen went down to the podium to conduct his interviews, but was then asked to wait and ultimately called in to speak to the race jury before the result was confirmed, with Philipsen having not deviated from his line.

Tour de France 2023 - Jersey round-up

17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No changes in any of the classifications - it’s as you were in terms of the jersey wearers for tomorrow. Jasper Philipsen and Victor Lafay are tied on 80 points, but the Frenchman retains green on account of his place higher up in the GC standings:

Yellow: Simon Yates (UAE Team Emirates)

White: Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)

Green: Victor Lafay (Cofidis)

Polka Dot: Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)

And Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsic) has won today’s combativity prize for all of his breakaway efforts.

Laurent Pichon est élu combatif du jour sur cette troisième étape du @LeTour 😍💪 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/TrgsRzPJWs — Team Arkéa Samsic (@Arkea_Samsic) July 3, 2023

17:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And here’s what tomorrow’s 182km jaunt from Dax to Nogaro looks like as the Tour heads inland.

Jasper Philipsen wins Stage Three of the Tour de France

17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s two Tour de France sprint stages in a row for Jasper Philipsen, of course, with the Belgian closing last year’s edition with victory on the Champs-Elysees. He’ll fancy making it three tomorrow, too - it looks another day for the sprinty types, with even fewer lumps and bumps to deal with than today.

17:23 , Lawrence Ostlere in Bayonne

That was a thrilling finish to a sleepy day for the crowds here in Bayonne, where hundreds packed the bridge over the Nive river 300m before the finish. Jasper Philipsen has been widely tipped to enjoy a big Tour de France, and on this evidence – with the perfectly timed leadout train of Mathieu van der Poel to rely on – that will not be the last time we see him celebrate over the next few weeks. Mark Cavendish finished a very creditable sixth, encouraging signs as he bids for No 35.

And here is our stage winner Jasper Philipsen

17:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It was a bit in doubt! They made it really exciting in the end...

“It was tense but that is the Tour de France, there are no presents for anybody, everyone goes all in. We can be really happy with our team performance today - I had a great lead-out, Mathieu did a fantastic job. It’s amazing - if he has the space to go, for sure he has the speed, and you know no other lead-out will pass him.

“It was a tricky final with the S bend in the end, so I tried to take the shortest route to the finish. There was already stress in the bunch with 70km to go, everyone fighting for the win.”

🇧🇪🇧🇪JASPER. PHILIPSEN.🇧🇪🇧🇪 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/B4woqEEYMn — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jasper Philipsen has been called out of the winner’s chair as the UCI commissaires review the finish. The French broadcaster has suggested that the result has been upheld...

And Philipsen comes out of the stewards’ tent with a broad grin on his face - the win is, indeed, his.

Mathieu van der Poel speaks to Eurosport after helping Jasper Philipsen to victory

17:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“Yesterday I tried to save as much energy as possible because I knew it would be hard today for the first sprint stage. We did a perfect lead-out for him.

“Coming in here, I knew my shape was good but the last two days I wasn’t riding with the legs I had before the Tour. I’m happy we have this win and now we’ll go for another one.”

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Hmm. Jasper Philipsen doesn’t look entirely confident as he sits waiting for the result to be ratified. Tadej Pogacar comes over for a chat, working through the footage of the final sprint. Philipsen shouldn’t have anything to fear - he didn’t deviate off his line, simply followed the bend.

Jumbo-Visma may well lodge a complaint, but the problem seemed to be the barriers, which jutted out in quite an unsafe manner in those final few hundred metres . Philipsen looks very, very nervous though.

17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No major changes at the top of the general classification, of course, with the bunch given the same time and none of those who took bonus seconds troubling the race leaders. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) remains in yellow; his teammate Tadej Pogacar in white.

The top of the GC continues to look like this:

1. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates)

2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)

3. Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla)

4. Victor Lafay (Cofidis)

5. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)

6. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)

7. Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech)

8. Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe)

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wout van Aert seemed a little frustrated at the finish there, sitting up and shaking his head after being slightly boxed in by Philipsen. I don’t think there was anything untoward from the Belgian that will result in relegation, Van Aert caught against the barriers due to the road’s natural curve and making the right call not to try and push through.

Two near misses in a row for Jumbo-Visma’s do-everything superstar having appeared well placed.

Tour de France 2023 - Stage Three result

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

1. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

2. Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious)

3. Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Dstny)

4. Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-QuickStep)

🏆 @JasperPhilipsen wins the massive sprint in Bayonne! 🏆 @JasperPhilipsen remporte le sprint massif à Bayonne ! #TDF2023 | @AlpecinDCK pic.twitter.com/1AyCxdee3I — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

JASPER PHILIPSEN WINS STAGE THREE OF THE TOUR DE FRANCE!

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The favourite delivers! Alpecin-Deceuninck got it pretty much spot on, prepared to hit the front early and keep in control. Mathieu van der Poel cleared the way, releasing Jasper Philipsen inside the final few hundred metres.

Wout van Aert tried to come up the inside but was left short of room as the road bent, and Philipsen had the power to hold off the fast finishing Phil Bauhaus and Caleb Ewan.

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

16:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into a dip, and under the flamme rouge.

1km to go. Alpecin-Deceuninck perfectly placed - Van der Poel leading the way for Philipsen.

1.5km to go

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wout van Aert will sprint - he’s got Christophe Laporte to help him out.

Mathieu van der Poel is guiding Jasper Philipsen up the centre. Caleb Ewan right with them; Peter Sagan, too.

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Biniam Girmay is moved up the left of the road, in behind Soudal-QuickStep, setting things up for Fabio Jakobsen. UnoX are there - can Alexander Kristoff produce something for the Scandanavians?

The speed is more than 60km/h as the sprinters begin to kick into gear and the GC men just start to fade back. Under the 3km banner - everyone is safe.

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton sweeps through a roundabout, the natural curve stringing out the bunch. A couple of Ineos Grenadiers riders look back into the bunch, checking that Carlos Rodriguez, Egan Bernal and co. are where they need to be.

16:52 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jumbo-Visma move to the front now - Wout van Aert looks like he might be sprinting, out to avenge yesterday’s error.

Up a little rise as we come into Bayonne.

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Soudal-QuickStep are driving it on, with Groupama-FDJ up the front, too. The French team left Arnaud Demare at home of course - protecting the diminutive David Gaudu is surely their objective.

Lotto-Dstny fancy this, by the looks of things. Caleb Ewan looks calm and confident.

16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

You can almost feel that nervous tension in the peloton as we approach that string of roundabouts. Jasper Philipsen ends up out of position at the first of them, and has to really work to get back into a prime spot having been squeezed back down the field.

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s already getting a little bit chaotic, even on these wide motorway roads on the approach to Bayonne. It’s going to be a hectic finale - for those without sprint options, guiding their general classification contenders safely to the 3km mark is the key.

16:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

I like the look of Intermarche Circus Wanty’s train, too - Mike Teunissen and Dion Smith are on bodyguard duties for the brilliantly talented Biniam Girmay, a standout on debut at the Giro last year before a stray popped cork from a celebratory bottle of champagne ended his race early.

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mark Cavendish is right in the heart of things - he’s got one teammate directly alongside him and several other Astana riders nearby. Cavendish suggested last night that he might take time to reach top form in this Tour, as he did at the Giro. Cees Bol is presumably his last lead-out man - the hulking Dutchman could prove pretty useful if Cavendish is to break the record.

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The pack concertinas as they hit an incline, allowing the stragglers to latch back on.

16:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The high pace at the front is going to make positioning crucial as we near the finish - moving up is going to be mightily difficult, particularly through all of the road furniture in Bayonne.

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Laurent Pichon is beginning to pay for his efforts in the breakway - the Breton has dropped through the peloton and will be spending more time on his lonesome.

16:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The pace remains exceptionally high. UnoX come to the front - the hardy, experienced Alexander Kristoff could be in the mix at the finish - while Ineos are up their, too, making sure that their group of protected riders are safe and secure.

16:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton fans out across the road, eight lines of similarly clothed riders as the teams keep their leaders safe at the front. Positioning will be crucial on the final run-in, with a series of three or four roundabouts just before that vital 3km mark that could pose a few problems.

16:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The catch is made - Laurent Pichon’s grand day out is over and we are all back together for the final run to Bayonne.

It’s going to be fast and furious from here on in.

❌ @lauPichon is caught. It's the end of the breakaway and another race begins. ❌ Laurent Pichon est repris. C'est la fin de l'échappée. Une nouvelle course commence. #TDF2023 | @Arkea_Samsic pic.twitter.com/n44O0nv6PO — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

38 km to go

16:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lotto-Dstny have been slightly quiet today, but have now joined the rest of the sprinters’ teams towards the front. All of their eggs are in Caleb Ewan’s basket this year - there’s plenty of pressure on the slightly mercurial Australia, at his best probably the fastest in the field but short of his best over the last 12 months or so.

41 km to go

16:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Laurent Pichon’s race will soon be run - he’s pulled the cord and is soon to be enveloped by the peloton, now just 15 sconds behind.

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

While we swept over the day’s categorised climbs during the first half of the stage, there are still some ups and downs to negotiate - there are plenty of undulations on the road up to Bayonne, as anyone who has been to the French part of the Basque Country will attest. Laurent Pichon keeps his legs pounding on the pedals as he comes down from one little lump, hoping to extend his adventure out the front for as long as possible.

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lidl-Trek and Soudal-QuickStep, through the ever willing and able Tim Declercq, also show their faces at the front, bringing that gap down towards 60 seconds. It’s very much been as we expected today.

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pichon may be starting to fade - the peloton have taken 30 seconds out of his advantage in short order, with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Jayco-AlUla doing much of the hard graft on the front as they try to set things up for Jasper Philipsen and Dylan Groenewegen respectively.

15:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And now the peloton have arrived on French soil, too, over the bridge into the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It really is a beautiful part of the world, the Basque coast, all the more so with three-deep crowds walking up from the beach to line the streets and cheer Laurent Pichon and the rest on.

#TDF2023 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 🟦🟦🟦🟦⬜⬜⬜⬜🟥🟥🟥🟥 pic.twitter.com/rNqAdJnLlY — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

15:42 , Harry Latham-Coyle

There are a few reports that all of these punctures have been caused by yet more throwing of tacks into the road. It’s the second day in a row that the race has been targeted - it does seem like very odd behaviour and is rather blotting what has otherwise been an excellent exhibition of the Basque Country’s charms.

Laurent Pichon has crossed the border - a sweeping left hander and, for the first time this year, the Tour de France is in, well, France.

To Bayonne!

15:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Let’s learn a little more about our lone leader, then. There’s not much on Laurent Pichon’s palmares to get excited about but the Brittany-born rouleur has hung around the French-speaking parts of the peloton for a long time. This is his third Tour, but his first appearance in five years.

A seventh place at the quirky Brittany race Tro Bro Leon is his best result this season. It’s always a fun date on the calendar, the so-called Petit Paris-Roubaix, a rough romp around farm tracks and other unpaved roads that sees the winner presented with a piglet.

15:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It feels like we’ve had more mechnanicals than usual today - Rui Costa and Alexey Lutsenko are among the latest bunch of unfortunate bike riders forced back to the car for a change of wheel.

Lonely Laurent Pichon’s advantage is two minutes and 45 seconds.

🔴⚪️ @NPowless 🇺🇸 🤜🤛 @lauPichon 🇫🇷 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/DZxPuuSjrA — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 3, 2023

15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

With a bag of bottles draped over his shoulder, Neilson Powless is heartily welcomed back by his EF teammates in the bunch.

15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neilson Powless’s day is done - an eleven point King of the Mountains lead safely secured, he leaves Laurent Pichon to go it alone at the front, sitting up and waiting to be swallowed up by the peloton.

How Mark Cavendish became a Tour de France legend

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mark Cavendish once gave me the look.

It was an interview in a hotel lobby in Yorkshire; he was slightly late and apologised profusely, then answered questions about the Tour de France with enthusiastic detail. For some reason I thought 10 minutes of flowing conversation made me his trusted confidant, so I looked him in the eyes and asked: how much do you want to break Eddy Merckx’s Tour stage record? He shrugged it off. But what would it mean to you? He went quiet. Wouldn’t it crown your legacy?

The look was somewhere in the venn diagram of anger and disdain, and I half expected him to walk off. He stayed, but it was clear he didn’t want to talk about the record, and in that brief moment I felt the gentlest prod of his famous spikiness. Cavendish was once asked what he’d learned from a difficult day on the bike. “That journalists sometimes ask some stupid f***ing questions,” he replied.

Could this be the day that Mark Cavendish breaks Eddy Merckx’s record? Lawrence Ostlere speaks to some of the Manxman’s closest allies - and fiercest rivals - to find out what makes him special.

How Mark Cavendish became a Tour de France legend – according to rivals and teammates

Tour de France 2023 - Stage Three

15:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The rear of the peloton just becomes cramped a little bit on a steep bend on the day’s final climb, forcing a few riders at the back to come to a complete stop. Matteo Trentin is the last to get going again, pushing between the Basque flags and up the remaining metres of the ascent.

Right, that’s all of that dealt with - 90km of largely flat roads to come.

14:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Seven points more to Neilson Powless across today’s four minor climbs, with the EF rider trying to set himself up for a period in polka dots. Someone with his sort of climbing ability will fancy his chances of clinging on to the jersey for a few more days. EF could be a bit of a wildcard for the remainder of the race after losing Richard Carapaz to injury in the opening stage.

A message comes through from an Arkea Samsic directeur sportif to Laurent Pichon, asking the Frenchman to try and keep the break going and secure the day’s combativity prize, for which you’d think he might already be a shoo-in.

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Laurent Pichon and Neilson Powless have one more third category climb to negotiate before they can throttle right down and prepare for the peloton’s embrace. Pichon has a chuckle with his polka-dotted partner - he’ll have made his team happy with all this visibility on a day where the Breton-based outfit are unlikely to figure in the final stage equation.

14:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Chris Juul-Jensen of Team Jayco-AlUla on the front setting the tempo. Dylan Groenewegen will be their option at the finish today, you’d think - the Dutchman was impressive at the Tour of Slovenia in June with a couple of stage wins, and he’s got a pretty good group around him to set him up for the sprint, with Luka Mezgec a fast finisher in his own right.

97km left. 1 minute and 30 seconds is the gap to our two leaders.

14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

O’Connor is in bother again as the peloton cruise along the coast, requiring a bike change. Teammate Nans Peters offers his assistance, ready to again bring his team leader back into the main bunch.

AG2R are in a bit of a weird spot if O’Connor isn’t on top form - in Aurelien Paret-Peintre and Benoit Cosnefroy, they have a couple of punchy Frenchmen who could prove dangerous if given free rein to go stage hunting later in the race, but they’ll be reluctant to let the pair off the leash if O’Connor has any shot at an overall top ten. Ordinarily, Paret-Peintre might even have the climbing legs to get himself in the general classification mix, but he’s already ridden the Giro this year, so unlikely to be able to sustain the sort of effort required.

14:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The peloton’s pace has eased, with the break’s gap restored to a comfortable two and a half minutes.

Ben O’Connor has just rejoined the peloton, aided by a couple of AG2R teammates and hoping to put a tough weekend behind him. It’s not been a pretty start to the Tour for the Australian, who has lost time on both stages so far to suggest his hopes of a genuine GC tilt are slim. It’s a real shame for a rider who had so impressed in finishing fourth in 2021 - you may remember he had a pretty tough time of things last year, forced to ride on longer than he should have with a painful looking glute injury.

“Strangely, I’m simply not good enough at the moment,” O’Connor told CyclingNews overnight. “It’s not ideal, but it doesn’t mean I can’t finish in the top ten of the final standings. We now get two sprint days and then we have the Pyrenees. I will continue to do my best and see if the top ten is still possible.”

14:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Back to the men, and there’s about 110 kilometres or so before our dash through Bayonne decides our Stage Three victor. Might Wout van Aert be in the mix after his near miss yesterday? Everything appeared perfectly set up for him yesterday before Victor l‘a fait, the Jumbo-Visma rider comfortably the fastest in the reduced group that came home seconds behind the Cofidis rider.

Van Aert appeared a little aggrieved by the lack of help he received from Jonas Vingegaard in those last few kilometres, slapping his handlebars as he crossed the line, but the brilliant Belgian has said there is no lasting frustration.

““Of course we discussed with the team what happened,” Van Aert said this morning. “We always want to win and if we can’t, we look at what we could have done better. It wasn’t an easy situation in the final either.

“[Vingegaard] did make sure I had the chance to go for the win,”

“If he cooperated with Pogacar after the Jaizkibel - and we were far behind - then I had no chance of victory. However, he could have put a lot of competitors for the classification behind there.”

“If you see how it turned out in the end, maybe Jonas could have done more at the end. But that’s also hindsight. It’s racing, not a computer game. So the criticism of him is unjustified.”

“The Tour is 3 weeks. There are still many chances to come, starting already today.”

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

While many of the best male bike riders in the world continue their weave towards France, much of the women’s peloton is in Italy for the Giro Donne. Annemiek van Vleuten laid down an early marker with a solo victory on Saturday and has extended her lead on the second climbing test today, but missed out on victory, Elisa Longo Borghini finding a finishing kick to beat Veronica Ewers and Van Vleuten in a three-up sprint in Borgo Val di Taro.

Five more stages to come, including a two-day denouement in Sardinia, in a slightly shorter race than last year.

🏁 Longo Borghini 🥇🇮🇹 🇮🇹 Elisa Longo Borghini  (Lidl - Trek) wins the sprint,  🇺🇸 Veronica Ewers (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) is 2nd, 🇳🇱 Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar Team)  3th #UCIWWT #GiroDonne23 📸 @GettySport pic.twitter.com/4UmLbA2RUz — UCI_WWT (@UCI_WWT) July 3, 2023

14:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That little dash to the intermediate sprint has closed the gap down to less than two minutes. You wonder if the peloton might be tempted to bring Laurent Pichon and Neilson Powless back between the next two climbs. Not that there is any need to, of course.

Victor Lafay has been re-absorbed. Powless is given a slight fright as Pichon feigns going after the two mountain points on the Col d’Itziar, but they eventually end up in the American’s pocket. He’ll wear the polka dots tomorrow.

14:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Those 15 points to Lafay leave things intriguingly poised ahead of the bunch sprint - I think the green jersey will be the Frenchman’s to wear if the bunch sprint is one by someone not named Wout van Aert, Mads Pedersen or Jasper Philipsen, who are all within the 50 points today’s winner will receive.

It’s pretty smart stuff from Lafay, who appears to have now sat up as he and the rest of the field begin the Col d’Itziar.

14:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And it’s little surprise to see Mads Pedersen showing at the front, the Dane fancying his chances of taking the green jersey come race end with Wout van Aert declaring himself out of the running to focus on the good of team Jumbo-Visma (and a potential early departure for the birth of his child).

Pedersen pips Jordi Meeus and Biniam Girmay to take 13 points.

14:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Through the intermediate sprint go Laurent Pichon and Neilson Powless, followed soon enough by Victor Lafay. 15 points to the Frenchman - and there’s a bit of a ding-dong brewing behind as the sprinters prepare to test their legs.

13:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lafay is closing quickly on our intrepid two at the front of the race, taking a minute and a bit out of their lead and now only 90 seconds or so back.

Oh Victor va faire basculer le Tour ! 💚 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/IfZXZhgPPT — Team Cofidis (@TeamCOFIDIS) July 3, 2023

13:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Now then! This is bold from Victor Lafay, yesterday’s winner and looking fetching in the green jersey. He’s off the front of the peloton and looking to close the gap to the breakaway.

Lafay’s legs looked really, really good on Saturday when he was a slightly strange interloper alongside Pogacar and Vingegaard. You wonder what his intentions here are - the intermediate sprint isn’t too far away, so perhaps he wants to stay in green?

13:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Need a reminder of what’s to come in this year’s Tour? Here’s our stage by stage guide of a route that promises plenty.

Stage-by-stage guide to the 2023 Tour de France route

13:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Plenty of fans out and about in the rather pretty seaside town of Lekeitio, the Basque fans making themselves heard and waving their Ikurriña flags.

Tadej Pogacar requires a new back wheel, coming to a halt as the peloton begins to weave up a coastal road. He’s in no hurry after this sedate start, stopping for a natter with a couple of UAE Team Emirates personnel.

It’s a glorious day, by the looks of things, with a welcome breeze coming off the sea. Pogacar smiles to the camera as he weaves through the convoy up to the rear of the peloton.

13:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

These are the sort of days that do sometimes bring unexpected incidents - the peloton can switch off a little with the pattern set so early and a bunch sprint all but a certainty, with a loss of focus causing a crossed wheel or two and a crash. Few signs of that so far, with the riders chatting away happily. Mark Cavendish has dropped off the back briefly, with Astana teammate Yevgeniy Fedorov helping pace him back to the peloton - here’s what the British sprinter had to say last night as he geared up for his first chance at breaking Eddy Merckx’s record.

Mark Cavendish being his usual honest self ahead of what could be a record breaking week for him 😅🐐 #TDF2023 | @MarkCavendish pic.twitter.com/ZPArDkSfPI — Eurosport (@eurosport) July 3, 2023

13:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Three minutes is the gap now as the two-man breakaway prepare to crest the second climb of the day. Just a single point on offer at the top of the Cote de Milloi, a gentle ascent.

Fabio Jakobsen, one of the day’s big contenders, has been forced into an early bike change, with the Soudal–Quick-Step rider back amongst his teammates in the peloton. Trek-Segafredo’s Quinn Simmons is doing the work on the front, instantly recognisable with his flowing locks and bushy red beard, clad in the stars and stripes earned by victory in Knoxville at the US national championships last week.

Neilson Powless adds another point, playing to the crowd as they roar him over the top of the Milloi.

13:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And while it didn’t quite come for him, there were certainly signs of intent from Tadej Pogacar on both Saturday and Sunday, trying his best to shake Jonas Vingegaard from his wheel but not quite able to dislodge the Dane. The bonus seconds that he’s already collected could prove valuable, though, and Pogacar will surely keep attacking - he knows no other way and it might be his best route to victory as he bids to win back his crown.

How Tadej Pogacar can beat Jonas Vingegaard and take back Tour de France crown

12:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Well, it would appear we may be set for the day - Neilson Powless and Laurent Pichon out front, the sprinters’ teams keeping them within reach at the front of the peloton.

That gives us plenty of time to digest an outstanding opening weekend, with the Basque Country predictably coming to life to provide an incredible atmosphere. The racing delivered, too - The Independent’s Lawrence Ostlere indulged in all that Bilbao and San Sebastian had to offer.

Jumbo’s Death Star and Pidcock’s dog: Inside the Tour de France’s Grand Depart

12:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Pichon does not contest - Powless takes two more King of the Mountains competition points to extend his advantage over Tadej Pogacar to six points. You’d expect him to add another five on the two third category and single fourth category climbs remaining in the stage, with the peloton unlikely to bother reeling the breakaway in before each of the mini-peaks have been crossed.

Alpecin-Deceunick on the front of a very relaxed peloton, enjoying a much more comfortable day.

12:33 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Our plucky pair, Powless and Pichon, draw up alongside one another for a chat about the day ahead. We’ve got about three kilometres until the top f the day’s first climb, the third category Cote de Trabakua.

Pichon will presumably permit Powless to sweep over the top and take two more points to continue to build his lead.

12:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neilson Powless isn’t alone - Arkea-Samsic’s Laurent Pichon has followed him off the front. Powless won’t mind the lack of company as he tries to build his King of the Mountains tally - their gap to the peloton has swelled to beyond a minute at it appears our breakaway for the day may already have been formed.

12:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, after two tough days in Spain, finally there’s something to interest the fastmen as the Tour de France crosses the border for our first likely sprint finish of this year’s race. We’re expecting things to be a little calmer through the afternoon, with the hills smaller and more spaced and unlikely to trouble the sprinters with no major general classification activity expected.

Is this the day for Mark Cavendish to break the record? You’d have to say the Astana rider is a real contender, though he took his time to warm to his task at the Giro d’Italia earlier in the year and might need to ease his way in to his Tour farewell, too. Jasper Philipsen will surely be up there - Mathieu van der Poel notably kept his powder dry yesterday on a finish that seemed to suit him, and should offer an uber-powerful lead-out option - while Wout van Aert might just be tempted to have his own go after being pipped by Victor Lafay yesterday.

The flag has been waved - 193.2 kilometres of racing to go and Neilson Powless is immediately on the attack as he seeks to consolidate his early lead in the chase for the polka dot jersey.

‘You morons!’ Tour de France riders hit by nail attack causing mass punctures

12:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Tour de France riders were attacked by nails on the road of the final kilometres of stage two in San Sebastian.

Several riders suffered punctures in the last throes of the 209km ride through the Spanish Basque Country. Lilian Calmejane posted a video on social media showing his bike after the race, with five nails embedded in the front tyre.

‘Thank you for this kind of human bulls**t…” he tweeted. “I don’t think I was the only victim of a puncture in the end… know that you can fall and get really hurt with your bulls**t you morons.”

11:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mark Cavendish has found the 2023 Tour de France tough going so far, getting dropped by the peloton early in both of the opening hilly stages in the Basque Country. Now, though, the fast men may well get a shot at a bunch sprint as the road flattens somewhat en route from Amorebieta to Bayonne.

After two days in the north of Spain, the race will cross the border into France in the final 50km of this 184km journey along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean – pack-splitting crosswinds are unlikely on what is forecast to be a still day.

Stage 3 preview: Mark Cavendish eyes first chance for sprinters

11:21 , Lawrence Ostlere

Follow all the latest from stage three of the Tour de France as the sprinters get their first chance in this year’s race.

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Tour de France Stage 3 Preview: The First Day for the Sprinters to Shine

After two brutal stages in the Basque mountains, all eyes will be on the sprinters during the first flat stage of this year's Tour.

Stage 3 - Amorebieta-Etxano to Bayonne (193.5km) - Monday, July 3

And it’s a worthwhile move, with seven points available on the four categorized climbs spread through the first half of the stage. The riders summit the final categorized climb, the Category 3 Côte d'Orioko Benta with about 90km left to race, which is why we expect this to be the first stage in this year’s Tour that ends in a field sprint. But it will be close: there’s an uncategorized “bump” about 20km from the finish line in Bayonne, the perfect point from which to launch an attack.

Teams wishing to eliminate the Tour’s pure field sprinters might try and do it here. The run-in to the finish in Bayonne will be tight, with a series of roundabouts from about 5km- to 2km-to-go. At 2km from the finish line, there’s a 180-degree right-hander as the riders loop under and then up onto the avenue that takes them to the finish line. The run-in will be fast: the road heads downhill toward the 1km to go banner before rising in the final 500m toward the line.

The weather should be perfect: mostly sunny with highs in the upper 70s, with a slight headwind helping the sprinters’ teams keep the race together in the final 20km.

Riders to watch

After two days of intense racing in which the Tour’s overall contenders needed to be at their best, the sprinters should be front and center at the end of Stage 3 in Bayonne.

Assuming no one gets dropped, it’s the first chance for Great Britain’s Mark Cavendish (Astana) to break the record for the most stage wins in Tour history, with the Netherland’s Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step) and Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla), Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Destny Lotto), and Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) looking to deny him a chance at history.

But if the finale proves hard for these riders, look for one of the Tour’s more versatile sprinters to win the stage with Belgium’s Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Denmark’s Mad Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), and Norway’s Alexander Kristoff (Uno-X) the top candidates to win in Bayonne.

When to Watch

You can tune-in a bit later for this one: the riders should hit that uncategorized “bump” at about 10:55 a.m. EDT with the final sprint taking place around 11:25 a.m. EDT. Don’t miss it, though: with only a handful of chances for Cav to make history, you’ll want to be sure you’re tuned in.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

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Tour de France 2024 Route stage 3: Piacenza - Turin

Although the route features three KOMs, the hills are nothing special. Neither in length, nor in gradients. The riders cross the Po Valley from east to west.

The 2021 Giro d’Italia also included Piacenza as a starting venue. The race went to Sestola and Joe Dombrowski took the win from the breakaway. In 2022 Turin was the end station of one of the most exciting stages of that edition. The race concluded with several laps on a hilly finishing circuit east of Turin. Simon Yates took the win, 15 seconds ahead of the first chasers, Jai Hindley, Richard Carapaz and Vincenzo Nibali.

The climbers can keep their heads down this time. The route is tailor made for the sprinters.

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Tour de France 2024 stage 3: routes, profile, more

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Tour De France 2024 Highlights Stage 3

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Jasper ‘disaster’ is far from it, with a fine charge at the line to take the first bunch sprint. Nervous finale leads to second bunch sprint | tour de france 2022 stage 3 highlights.

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Jasper 'Disaster' Is Far From It, With A Fine Charge At The Line To Take The First Bunch Sprint.

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The race between piacenza and turin is likely to see a fast finishers showdown.

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Giro d'Italia stage 3 Live - The sprinters' first dance

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Buongiorno and welcome to our live coverage of stage 3 of the 2024 Giro d'Italia!

After an exhilarating opening weekend of racing with the GC action exploding in Turin and up Oropa, today's third stage should be the first opportunity for the sprinters' teams to show themselves and fight it out in a big bunch finish.

The race stays in the Piedmont region in northwest Italy with a 166km route starting in Novara and heading south to Fossano. There isn't much in the way of climbing along the route with just a singular category 4 climb to content with, so those with fast men should look to control. 

Yesterday's dominant display from Tadej Pogačar on the first summit finish of the race saw him move into the pink jersey with a 45-second lead on Geraint Thomas heading into today's stage. If you missed out on the Slovenian's stunning solo victory, catch up with how he did it below.

Giro d'Italia: Tadej Pogačar crashes but then cracks rivals with solo attack to win stage 2 to Oropa

With the move into the maglia rosa, here's a look at Pogačar customised bike for the third day. Nothing crazy for now but the pink accents do make that Colnago look even sweeter. 

We're around 45 minutes away from the neutralised start in Novara.

We've unfortunately had the second abandon of the 2024 Giro d'Italia, with Eddie Dunbar leaving the race due to injuries he sustained yesterday.

Eddie Dunbar pulls out of the Giro d'Italia after crashing on stage 2

One man who will certainly be happy to be back in Novara is Tim Merlier. This is where the Belgian sprinter won his first Grand Tour stage in 2021 when he took victory in the second stage ahead of Giacomo Nizzolo. He's riding for a different team in 2024 with Soudal-QuickStep but he'll be hoping for similar success today.

Riders are completing sign-ons and the team presentation ahead of the third stage. Piemonte native Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) gets the biggest cheer of the day so far.

Aside from Merlier, there are a whole host of other sprinters at this year's Giro in one of the most stacked fields for a while:

- Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike)

- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)

- Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla)

- Fabio Jakobsen and Tobias Lund Andresen (DSM-Firmenich PostNL)

- Alberto Dainese (Tudor)

- Kaden Groves (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

- Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious)

- Danny van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe)

- Juan Sebastián Molano (UAE Team Emirates)

However, looking closer at today's finish in Fossano reveals a much punchier final few kilometres than a simple flat run-in. The road up to Fossano takes the riders off a main road and onto a steeper duo of switchbacks. This steep pinch could prove a real problem for the purer sprinters mentioned earlier.

Here's a look at Jonathan Milan arriving at the start of today's stage. He'll fancy his chances even with the steep pinches near the finale. Milan won the first sprint opportunity at last year's race and held the maglia ciclamino right the way through to Rome.

Here's what Caleb Ewan had to say ahead of the stage:

"Now I've had a really good preparation for the Giro and I feel really good so hopefully I can go for some stages here," said Ewan in Novara to CyclingProNet.

In his pomp, Ewan would have been perfectly suited to a punchy run into a sprint so if he's anywhere near back to his best it could be a chance to score his sixth Giro stage win.

"I think a finish like this suits me, with some of the sprinters legs I guess being a bit tired at the top of the climb. I think it is going to be really tough but it should come down to a sprint."

Pogačar looks resplendent in the pink jersey, taking time to sign autographs ahead of signing on. It should be a day of staying safe in the peloton with the race leader not getting carried away despite taking a big lead yesterday.

'I was riding on the front wheel with zero pressure' - Pogačar brushes off crash but the Giro is far from over

Its a big day for Olav Kooij and Visma-Lease a Bike as the Dutchman eyes his first opportunity to take a Grand Tour stage win on debut. Visma set stage wins as their main objective for this year's Giro and sprinter Kooij will be the focus with a strong leadout train of Edoardo Affini, Tim van Dijke and Christophe Laporte.

Here he is then. Race leader Tadej Pogačar gears up for the start of stage 3 in the maglia rosa. 

Pogačar's shorts are looking rather ciclamino, however, and he's shared a friendly chat with the maglia ciclamino wearer Filippo Fiorelli on the start line. If he is to hold his lead, expect to see him fully in pink as the days go on.

Unofficial Start

Stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia is underway. The riders have set off from Novara to the cheers of big crowds. We'll have six kilometres to get through until we get to kilometre 0.

Bubbling underneath the pure sprinters is a whole host of fast men who are more than punchy enough to survive those late steep pinches in the road:

- Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ)

- Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Wanty)

- Matteo Trentin (Tudor)

- Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers)

- Christophe Laporte (Visma-Lease a Bike)

- Timo Kielich (Alpecin-Deceuninck)

Davide Ballerini is enjoying a chilled start to the day and tucking into some haribos out of the lead race car. He'll either be on duty for his own ambitions or Max Kanter at the finish today. 

166KM TO GO

Stage 3 is officially underway at this year's Giro. Flag dropped by race director Stefano Allocchio and the jacket on his back shows just how the weather could play a part in today's stage. No attacks as of yet from the flag drop as there have been for the past two days.  

A look at the jersey wearers on stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia: Cian Uijtdebroeks in white, Pogačar in pink, Fiorelli in ciclamino and Dani Martínez who is looking after the blue KOM jersey for the Slovenian race leader. Andrea Piccolo (EF Education EasyPost) was also on the front row after his efforts in the break yesterday. 

Full status quo on the peloton for now with everyone happy for a calm start after two full gas days of racing in the hills and mountains. All eyes will be on the finale.

160KM TO GO

Very chilled out pace for everyone and no one fancying disrupting off the front. Lots of chats going on at the back of the peloton.

Here's that chat between Fiorelli and Pogačar with the Italian wondering whether the Slovenian had his colours mixed up when he put on his shorts this morning. The ciclamino bottom half has been causing quite a stir on social media. 

Big smile on the face of Cian Uijtdebroeks to the camera as the young Visma man started his first day in white at the Giro. He moved into the lead of the young rider's classification with a top ride yesterday up to Oropa.

Cian Uijtdebroeks hits ground running in Giro d’Italia debut with youth classification lead

Pogačar and Geraint Thomas are taking the chance to have a chat after the GC action exploded yesterday. It won't be a day for either of them today with a calm sprint stage on the menu. They'll be eyeing the final 3km and a safe run into Fossano

150KM TO GO

No change in the peloton for now.

Here's what one of the favourites for the day, Tim Merlier, had to say about today's potential sprint:

"It will be a hard final, it will make it really hectic. Some riders will be on the limit. It is a strange finish in the end but we will see what happens," he told CyclingProNet .

"The seasons started really well so I want another one today."

He'll have a strong side dedicated to helping him reach the finish today with Bert Van Lerberghe and Luke Lamperti as two of his last men in the train. Julian Alaphilippe could also be involved to ride the punchy climb near the finish on the front for Merlier.

140KM TO GO

Another 10 kilometres goes by without any change in the peloton. It is looking like there is no chance of a break today unless someone makes a move on one of the very few rises.

Thumbs up and a wave from Fabio Jakobsen to the camera. He said to media this morning that the stage will be his to go for as plan A but if he isn't feeling good then Tobias Lund Andresen will have the same freedom he had at the Tour of Turkey where he scored three stage wins. 

With the first chance of a sprint incoming, make sure you catch up with what 12-time Giro stage winner Robbie McEwen had to say to Cyclingnews about the sprint field.

'Giro d’Italia sprints are going to be incredible’- Robbie McEwen rates the sprint contenders

130KM TO GO

Intermarché Wanty and Alpecin-Deceuninck are the teams technically on the front of the peloton but without anything to chase there is no need to up the pace. 

A look at the peloton on today's third stage.

120KM TO GO

Intermarché are keeping their spot at the front of the peloton but these last few kilometres have just been a chance for the riders to get a feed in and take on some food ahead of the final 100 kilometres.

Signs of movement in the peloton. First attacks are starting from Intermarché with the one categorised climb of the day approaching. Lilian Calmejane is the most active. 

Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan) has gone with the Frenchman off the front. The one climb of the day will be to Lu (3.4km at 3.8%) which offers a maximum of three KOM points.

110KM TO GO

Calmejane must be thinking of the long term and after an incredibly easy start,  it isn't much exertion for three KOM points which could be useful later on in the race. He led the classification after stage 1 so could be targeting it throughout this year's Giro.

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The 5-minute essential guide to the Tour de France

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Reading time: 0 min Published on 8 January 2024, updated on 18 April 2024

It is the biggest cycling race in the world: a national event that France cherishes almost as much as its Eiffel Tower and its 360 native cheeses! Every year in July, the Tour de France sets off on the roads of France and crosses some of its most beautiful landscapes. Here’s everything you should know in advance of the 2018 race…

‘La Grande Boucle’

In over a century of existence, the Tour has extended its distance and passed through the whole country. Almost 3,500 kilometers are now covered each year in the first three weeks of July, with 22 teams of 8 cyclists. The 176 competitors criss-cross the most beautiful roads of France in 23 days, over 21 stages. More than a third of France’s departments are passed through, on a route that changes each year.

A little tour to start

The first ever Tour de France took place in 1903. It had just six stages – Paris-Lyon, Lyon-Marseille, Marseille-Toulouse, Toulouse-Bordeaux, Bordeaux-Nantes and Nantes-Paris – and 60 cyclists at the start line. At the time, the brave cycled up to 18 hours at a stretch, by day and night, on roads and dirt tracks. By the end, they’d managed 2,300 kilometers. Must have had some tight calves!

Mountain events are often the most famous and hotly contested. Spectators watch in awe as the riders attack the passes and hit speeds of 100 km/h. In the Pyrenees and the Alps, the Galibier and Tourmalet ascents are legendary sections of the Tour, worthy of a very elegant polka dot jersey for the best climber…

The darling of the Tour

In terms of the number of victories per nation, France comes out on top, with 36 races won by a French cyclist. In second place is Belgium with 18 wins, and in third is Spain with 12. The darling of the Tour remains Eddy Merckx, holding the record of 111 days in the yellow jersey. This Belgian won 5 times the Great Loop as Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Michael Indurain.

‘Le maillot jaune’

The yellow jersey is worn by the race winner in the general classification (calculated by adding up the times from each individual stage). This tradition goes back to 1919. It has nothing to do with the July sunshine or the sunflower fields along the roads; it was simply the colour of the pages of newspaper L’Auto, which was creator and organiser of the competition at the time.

The Tour de France is the third major world sporting event after the Olympic Games and the World Cup, covered by 600 media and 2,000 journalists. The race is broadcast in 130 countries by 100 television channels over 6,300 hours, and is followed by 3.5 billion viewers.

The Champs-Élysées finish

Each year the Tour departs from a different city, whether in France or in a neighbouring country. Since 1975, the triumphal arrival of the cyclists has always taken place across a finish line on Paris’ Champs-Élysées. It’s a truly beautiful setting for the final sprint.

And the winner is…

Seen from the sky and filmed by helicopters or drones, the Tour route resembles a long ribbon winding its way through France’s stunning landscapes: the groves of Normandy, the peaks of the Alps, the shores of Brittany and the beaches of the Côte d’Azur. In 2017, it was the Izoard pass in Hautes-Alpes that was elected the most beautiful stage, at an altitude of 2,361 metres. Which one gets your vote?

Find out more on the official Tour de France site: https://www.letour.fr

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Giro d'Italia stage 3 as it happened: Tim Merlier wins first sprint stage

With a predominantly flat course, today's stage looks to be one for the sprinters

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Good morning and welcome to the live blog for stage three of the Giro d'Italia . After yesterday's summit finish , which saw Tadej Pogačar take the pink jersey, today is the first opportunity for the fast men.

I'm Emma, and I'll be bringing you all the action from here today. 

Today's stage begins in Novara, a city in the north of Italy, close to Milan. The riders will race 166km to the medieval town of Fossano. It's 16 degrees and overcast at the start.

The route is predominantly flat, with some minor climbs. It finishes on the short climb of Cherasco, with a final straight, flat three kilometres (except for one sharp bend at 1.3km to go). Beware of the false flat from -4.5km to -3km, which climbs steadily at around 5%.

Here's today's stage profile. A couple of ramps, but largely flat.

Bad news for Eddie Dunbar (Jayco AlUla), who has abandoned the Giro. The Irish rider was involved in a crash yesterday, alongside teammate Filippo Zana and sprinter Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike). Dunbar sustained an injury to his right kneecap, and did not start today's stage.

Dunbar is the second rider forced to abandon, after Robert Gesink (Visma-Lease a Bike) who broke his hand in stage 1.

146km to go: There's a leisurely atmosphere in the peloton, with riders chatting and no breakaway attempts so far.

Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) is resplendent in pink today, after winning yesterday's stage. "I like the outfit," he said in a pre-race interview. "Some people don't like the shorts, but I actually like it. Let's see how many days I keep wearing it."

Pogačar also has the king of the mountains jersey, while Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) wears the purple sprinter's Maglia Ciclamino, and Cian Uijtdebroeks (Visma-Lease a Bike) has the white young rider's jersey.

Today's start line, with Pogačar in pink

Let's take a look at some of the favourites today:

- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) will be looking to defend last year's Maglia Ciclamino. The Italian rider has 4 stage wins so far this year and won the green jersey at Tirreno-Adriatico. 

- Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) will have gained an appetite for victory after 7 stage wins this season - more than any other sprinter. This is his first Grand Tour since La Vuelta in 2022.

-Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) - the Dutchman has had four wins this year, but the damage of yesterday's crash remains to be seen.

-Fabio Jakobsen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) remained coy at the start of today's stage: "I don't think it's an easy final —1.5km up is probably on the limit— but we will see what kind of sprint is in the legs after that effort. You have to be realistic."

-Caleb Ewan (Jayco AlUla) has not won a Grand Tour stage since 2021, but said in a pre-race interview that the Giro is his "biggest goal for the year". He added: "A flat finish like this suits me, with some of the sprinters' legs being a bit tired at the top of the climb."

There are plenty of other riders contesting today's stage, including Kaden Groves (Alpecin–Deceuninck), Danny van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe), Fernando Gaviria (Movistar), Laurence Pithie (Groupama–FDJ), Filippo Ganna (Ineos Grenadiers) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty).

104km to go: Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché–Wanty) and Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan) have 35 seconds on the peloton after Calmejane made a move off the front.

Calmejane takes three points on the 4th category KOM climb to Lu (3.4km at 3.8%), with Ballerini close behind. With his job done, Calmejane drops back to the peloton.

Lilian Calmejane wins the mountain sprint and wakes up everyone 🙌 #Giro pic.twitter.com/EGCo3GgPOC May 6, 2024

92km to go : Ballerini, who had little intention of staying out in front, has rejoined the peloton. The bunch is back together again.

In case you're wondering, Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) picked up the remaining point for the Maglia Azzurra on the Lu climb. 

Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché-Wanty) won 3 points, while Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan) gained 2.

87km to go: Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) takes 12 points for the intermediate sprint. Kooij comes second and Merlier third.

83km to go: Things are beginning to heat up. A large group of around 25 sprinters and lead-out riders have gone off the front, with Alpecin, Intermarché, Quick-Step, Visma, Tudor and Bardiani represented. They have 1:40 on the peloton.

79km to go: Filippo Fiorelli (VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizanè), who wears the sprinter's jersey, has a broken spoke on his rear wheel, and raises his hand for assistance. He's offered support from neutral service, but he waits for his team car.

Fiorelli is in the front group amongst race favourites Caleb Ewan, Tim Merlier, Olav Kooij, Jonathan Milan, Biniam Girmay and Danny van Poppel. They have 1:21 on the peloton, but the time is beginning to come down.

69km to go: Meanwhile, the group off the front has spurred the peloton into action. Movistar and Polti Kometa are leading the chase.

69km to go: Alpecin give Kaden Groves a full lead-out for the next intermediate sprint at Montegrosso d'Asti, but Milan easily claims the win, coming past on the right-hand side with Merlier on his wheel. A sign of things to come?

💚 Results at the InterGiro: 🥇 @MilanJonathan_ 🥈 @MerlierTim 🥉 @kaden_groves #GirodItalia pic.twitter.com/NiS1lQoxfc May 6, 2024

Let's take a look at some of the best images from the day so far.

Riders coming through the village of Lu, close to the first intermediate sprint

The peloton pass through the northern Italian countryside

The peloton climb to the Lu Monferrato

44km to go: Things are finally coming back together. The front group has 9 seconds, and is about to be caught.

It's a relief for Cian Uijtdebroeks in the white jersey, who missed out on one of the splits and found himself in a spot of trouble.

42km to go: Now that the peloton is back together, Ineos take over at the front. The average speed is up from 38 to 50.7 kilometres per hour. 

32.5km to go: Normal service has resumed: teams jostle for position at the front of the peloton, with GC contenders also keen to remain in the mix.

23km to go: Just over a kilometre to go until the next intermediate sprint at Cherasco. Things are about to kick off again.

21 km to go: There are bonus seconds to play for at Cherasco. Pogačar is first to make a move, but is beaten by Ben Swift (Ineos Grenadiers), who picks up three seconds. Pogačar takes two, and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) takes one.

18km to go: Simon Carr (EF Education-EasyPost) has abandoned the race. Updates when we have them.

Here's a reminder of how the stage will finish. There's a 5.3% uphill drag from -4.5km until the -3km mark, where there's also a sharp bend. After that, it's a straight, flat finale.

The profile for the stage finish

12 km to go: We're approaching the final 10 kilometres of stage 3, and it's a fight to be at the front. The pace is explosive - oh, and it's raining.

8 km to go: It's becoming a real contest for position at the front, both from sprinters and GC contenders. Ineos are on the left of the peloton, with Alpecin–Deceuninck and Kaden Groves in the centre. They're flying at 57 kilometres per hour.

7 km to go: As the peloton descend, it begins to string out. The tarmac is wet, and riders are not taking chances on the corners.

4.5km to go: The peloton are starting the final climb at 55 kilometres per hour. The speed is making things difficult for the sprinters.

3.4km to go: Nobody is attacking full gas, but Ineos are pushing the pace to keep Geraint Thomas' GC hopes safe.

2.8km to go:  EF Education-Easypost attack, followed by Pogačar. Thomas is forced to react, but this is not what the sprinters want.

1.4km to go: Mikkel Frølich Honoré (EF Education-Easypost), Tadej Pogačar and Geraint Thomas have a gap on the peloton.

1km to go: The peloton turn the final corner. There's still a big gap to close. Honoré has been dropped from the front three.

Tim Merlier wins the sprint!

Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) narrowly beats Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek), winning stage 3 of the Giro d'Italia.

Tobias Lund Andresen (dsm-firmenich PostNL) led the charge to catch Pogačar and Thomas, who were still out in front with 800 metres to go. Milan hit the front, but Merlier, approaching on the right-hand side, beat him to the line. 

The top three are in: 

- Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)

- Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)

-Biniam Girmay (Intermarché Wanty).

You can read the full race report on our website.

Tim Merlier claims the stage win

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Giro: Merlier wins stage 3, Pogacar stays in pink

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ROME , 06 May 2024, 18:01

ANSA English Desk

- ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Belgian Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step) sprinted to victory on the third stage of the Giro d'Italia, the 166-kilometre Novara-Fossano (Cuneo), while two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, (Uae), author of an attacking action in the final part of the stage together with ex Tour champ Geraint Thomas of Wales, remained in the pink jersey.     Merlier beat Italian Jonathan Milan on the finish line, while Eritrean Biniam Girmay came third.    

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA

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Merlier wins Giro Stage 3 after Pogacar fires up finale and stays in the lead

Belgium’s Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step team celebrates as he won the third stage of the Giro d’Italia from Novara to Fossano, Italy, May 06, 2024. (Photo by Gian Mattia D’Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

Cyclists compete at the third stage of the Giro d’Italia from Novara to Fossano, Italy, May 06, 2024. (Photo by Alessandro Garofalo/LaPresse via AP)

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FOSSANO, Italy (AP) — Belgian rider Tim Merlier won the third stage of the Giro d’Italia after race leader Tadej Pogacar almost caught the sprinters by surprise in a breathtaking finale on Monday.

Merlier claimed his second career stage win at the Italian grand tour ahead of Jonathan Milan and Biniam Girmay.

For Merlier’s eighth win this season, he timed his last effort precisely, surging from the right side to pip Milan by less than half a wheel.

Pogacar, who grabbed the pink jersey on Sunday, was not expected to shine during Monday’s trek between Novara and Fossano. With its mainly flat profile and just a small hill near the finish, the 166-kilometer (103-mile) stage looked ideal for the first battle between the sprinters.

The main overall contenders were expected to spend the day safely in the peloton but Pogacar had other ideas.

“It’s still better to be in front than stay in the bunch,” Pogacar said three stages into his Giro debut. “Then, in the final, it was stretching the legs.”

After a breakaway group which formed after the first intermediate sprint was caught with some 43 kilometers left, Pogacar sprinted for the bonus seconds awarded in the town of Cherasco.

Ben Swift, a teammate of Geraint Thomas, was the fastest, however, and took the bonus three seconds. Pogacar was second followed by Geraint Thomas and gained two seconds. Thomas was awarded a one-second bonus.

As the peloton rode toward the finish line in a drizzle, Mikkel Honore launched a bold move with three kilometers left, setting up a breathtaking finale.

Only Pogacar and Thomas could follow and the pair looked like they could pull it off after they dropped Honore. But the long section of road that followed a hairpin bend was too much to handle and the sprinters caught them with about 300 meters to go.

“This is my hardest victory so far,” Merlier said. “It was a really hard final. It’s been very difficult to come across to Pogacar and Thomas.”

Pogacar leads second-placed Thomas by 46 seconds, with Daniel Martinez in third place, 47 seconds off the pace.

Tuesday’s fourth stage is a 190-kilometer (118-mile) route from Acqui Terme to the seaside resort of Andora.

The Giro ends in Rome on May 26.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Billie Eilish Announces HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR

2024/25 DATES REVEALED FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, AND AUSTRALIA

American express card member presale starts april 30 and general on-sale begins may 3, third studio album hit me hard and soft out on may 17 [darkroom/interscope records].

Following the news of her highly anticipated third studio album HIT ME HARD AND SOFT , set for release on May 17 [pre-order/add/save HERE ], Billie Eilish has announced arena dates, produced by Live Nation, for her HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR . Starting in September 2024 , Eilish will embark on her North American leg of the tour which runs through to the end of December 2024 . The tour will continue in Australia starting February 2025 ahead of her European, U.K., and Ireland arena dates starting in April until late July . For a full list of tour dates, see below or visit billieeilish.com

Tickets for BILLIE EILISH: HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR will be available starting with the American Express® Presale beginning Tuesday, April 30 , with additional presales running throughout the week. Any remaining tickets will be available during the general on-sale starting Friday, May 3 on  billieeilish.com . On-sale start times vary by market, check local listings for more information.

American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, April 30 (while supplies last) – this is one of the many entertainment benefits American Express Card Members can access. Presale start + end times will vary by market, check your local listings at billieeilish.com for more information.

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS

Billie Eilish will continue her long-standing partnership with environmental nonprofit REVERB on this tour, building on the success of previous efforts, which resulted in over $1 million donated to environmental, greenhouse gas reduction, and climate justice projects, more than 150,000 fan actions, and much more. Sustainability efforts on this tour will include reducing greenhouse gas pollution, decreasing single-use plastic waste, supporting climate action, and updating concession offerings to promote and encourage plant-based food options with Support+Feed .

In keeping with her commitment to making a difference in the environmental impacts of her music and touring, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales in North America will go to  REVERB  and its ongoing effort to help support organizations across the country addressing the impacts of food insecurity and the climate crisis.

ECO-VILLAGE

The Billie Eilish REVERB Eco-Villages will be set up at 2 locations in the main concourse of every show where fans can take part in the tour’s sustainability efforts, connect with nonprofits, and take meaningful action for people and the planet.

SUPPORT+FEED

For collective action at the intersection of climate and food, Support+Feed will be launching a 360 campaign throughout the tour. Following the success in 2022, Support+Feed will offer an expanded version of the Support+Feed Pledge inspiring fans to eat one plant-based meal a day for 30 days with digital elements and community activations. Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in Plant-based Food Drives in a selection of cities alongside the tour to raise awareness and gather food to distribute to local communities.

Fans are encouraged to join the effort to make the HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR more sustainable. Where possible, take public transportation and carpool to and from the shows to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and encourage more public transportation options. Fans will receive information via email about public transportation options before the show.

Venue partners are also helping to lessen the environmental footprint of the tour. In addition to efforts to decrease waste through reducing or eliminating single-use plastics and diverting landfill waste with compost and recycling, venues will be offering plant-based food options at all shows.

FAN PARTICIPATION

Bring an empty reusable water bottle or donate for a custom RockNRefill Nalgene bottle to fill up at the free water refill stations located at each venue. The RockNRefill bottles and refill stations are located at the Eco-Villages in the main concourse at all shows. Fight fast fashion by opting for thrifted, upcycled, or borrowed clothes instead of buying new clothing to wear to shows.

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR – NORTH AMERICA*

Sun Sep 29 – Québec, QC – Centre Videotron Tue Oct 01 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Wed Oct 02 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Fri Oct 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena Sat Oct 05 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center Mon Oct 07 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena Wed Oct 09 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center Fri Oct 11 – Boston, MA – TD Garden Sun Oct 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena Wed Oct 16 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Thu Oct 17 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Fri Oct 18 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden Sat Nov 02 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena Sun Nov 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena Wed Nov 06 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena Fri Nov 08 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center Sun Nov 10 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center Mon Nov 11 – Saint Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center Wed Nov 13 – Chicago, IL – United Center Thu Nov 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center Sat Nov 16 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center Sun Nov 17 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center Omaha Tue Nov 19 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena Wed Nov 20 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena Tue Dec 03 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena Thu Dec 05 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena Fri Dec 06 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena Sun Dec 08 – Portland, OR – Moda Center Tue Dec 10 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose Wed Dec 11 – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose Fri Dec 13 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena Sun Dec 15 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum Mon Dec 16 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum Tue Dec 17 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR – AUSTRALIA

Tue Feb 18, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre Wed Feb 19, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre Fri Feb 21, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre Sat Feb 22, 2025 – Brisbane, Australia – Brisbane Entertainment Centre Mon Feb 24, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena Tue Feb 25, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena Thu Feb 27, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena Fri Feb 28, 2025 – Sydney, Australia – Qudos Bank Arena Tue Mar 4, 2025 –Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena Wed Mar 5, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena Fri Mar 7, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena Sat Mar 8, 2025 – Melbourne, Australia – Rod Laver Arena

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR – EUROPE/U.K./IRELAND Wed Apr 23, 2025 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena

Thu Apr 24, 2025 – Stockholm, Sweden – Avicii Arena

Sat Apr 26, 2025 – Oslo, Norway – Telenor Arena Mon Apr 28, 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena Tue Apr 29, 2025 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Royal Arena

Fri May 2, 2025 – Hannover, Germany – ZAG Arena Sun May 4, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome Mon May 5, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome Wed May 7, 2025 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome Fri May 9, 2025 – Berlin, Germany – Uber Arena Thu May 29, 2025 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena Fri May 30, 2025 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena Sun June 1, 2025 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena Tue June 3, 2025 – Kraków, Poland – Tauron Arena Wed June 4, 2025 – Kraków, Poland – Tauron Arena Fri June 6, 2025 – Vienna, Austria – Stadthalle Sun June 8, 2025 – Bologna, Italy – Unipol Arena Tue June 10, 2025 – Paris, France – Accor Arena Wed June 11, 2025 – Paris, France – Accor Arena Sat June 14, 2025 – Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi Sun June 15, 2025 –Barcelona, Spain – Palau Sant Jordi

Mon Jul 7, 2025 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Tue Jul 8, 2025 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro Thu Jul 10, 2025 – London, UK – The O2 Fri Jul 11, 2025 –London, UK – The O2 Sun Jul 13, 2025 – London, UK – The O2 Mon Jul 14, 2025 – London, UK – The O2 Wed Jul 16, 2025 – London, UK – The O2 Thu Jul 17, 2025 – London, UK – The O2 Sat Jul 19, 2025 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Sun Jul 20, 2025 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Tue Jul 22, 2025 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Wed Jul 23, 2025 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Sat Jul 26, 2025 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena Sun Jul 27, 2025 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena

*The tour wants to give fans, not scalpers, the best chance to buy tickets at face value. To make this possible they have chosen to use Ticketmaster’s Face Value Exchange. If fans purchase tickets for a show in the U.S. or Canada and can’t attend, they’ll have the option to resell them to other fans at the original price paid. To help protect the Exchange, the tour has requested all tickets be mobile only and restricted from transfer. This applies to all shows except those in Colorado, Illinois, and New York where Face Value Exchange cannot be mandated. Please note, a valid bank account or debit card within the country of your event is required to sell on the Face Value Exchange. More information on how the Ticketmaster Exchange works is available here .

Billie Eilish’s forthcoming album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT was written by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS , her brother and long-time collaborator, who also produced the album. HIT ME HARD AND SOFT will be available on all digital platforms, and in a continued effort to minimize waste and combat climate change; across all physical formats in limited variants on the same day, with the same track-listing and using 100% recyclable materials. For more information on all sustainable practices for this album release, please visit https://store.billieeilish.com/pages/sustainability

HIT ME HARD AND SOFT is out everywhere on May 17.

Pre-order/add/save HERE.

High Res Images   HERE

Photo credit for album artwork and press photo is William Drumm

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About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com .

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Alexandra Baker | [email protected]

Jamie Sward | [email protected]

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Monique Sowinski | [email protected]

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