Stage 3 - Valenciennes to Dunkerque - 178.3k - Flat
With the race starting in ran, seemed to go quickly, and seemingly lots of mechanicals early to deal the start and with headwinds to come this stage started relatively slow as compared to the previous days and as we often see. This does give the riders a break but also can lead to more nervousness and everyone knew the slow start could not last forever. As one of the commentators said at 69 miles - it was a boredom fest. That may be so for the spectator on TV but for the riders who usually get a rest day/transfer day early but do not get a rest till 10 days this is a day to recoup for what is to come as this is going to get as this is only day 3.
Have to say it is interesting that none of the small teams went out there to get their sponsors on the TV as is usually the case. they usually do so as they stand no real chance at the finish so TV time is the best they can do. But everyone must have been tired or thought they had a chance as even the obligatory rolling advertisement of a small break did not transpire
Was sad to see Jasper go down in the intermediate sprint which was at about 36 miles or so to go. Not much he could do as the Bryan Coquard who was in front of him banged into the rider next to him on his right then bounced back to the left with his feet coming out of the pedals and took out Philipsen. Looked bad as soon as they showed him since they quickly sent on the team members on - never a good sign - then was quickly announced he was out. Bummer as whether you are a Philipsen fan he is one of the best sprinters and thus makes sprint stages more interesting.
Once past the crash after the sprint the race relaxed again as they next looked to the Cat 4 2.3k climb that tops out with 31k to go. UAE let Tim Wellens go off and take the points on the climb and thus get the Polkadot Jersey. This also meant that as the climb created no gaps - Wellens came back to the peloton, the sprint was going to be a full pack sprint of people who are well rested. Thankfully once they reached the safe zone after 5K many will relax but still makes for a sketchy sprint as they can still lose time if dropped and that does happen as they go so fast.
And Sketchy it was with some crashes on the way in, I think some were happy to not be in them but be able to cruise in and not lose time, and a pretty gnarly one with one guy flailing along the barriers in the last bend. MVDP tried to get Groves up as Philipsen was out but just no room to move up for him and be in it. Was a photo finish between Milan and Merlier with Merlier getting the Winn by the narrowest of margins. Is funny watching how Milan sprints as can't say he is smooth as he bobs up and down so fast but, hey, he gets power to the pedals.
I can't say I have ever been in a fields sprint of that speed and that number of riders but back in the day I was in a few large packs that were moving right along and they were scary and when I watch these guys flying along so close it is actually amazing less people don't go down. It is a combination of great bike handling - well not for Coquard - as many times that is what stops even more carnage and also just fortune. I remember racing on the velodrome and that was even more scary at times but you just did what you had to do. These guys as a whole are so far better -even the guys at the back - than many of us can imagine.
As a whole was a not so interesting but will be tomorrow as they go at it for 174.2k of hilly terrain. Sadly when races go like this what happened near the end just seem inevitable. The Philpsen crash was sad for the tour a a whole but when these intermediate sprints are essential to go for if you are in it for the Green Points Jersey crashes will happen then as well. Tomorrow will be good I think as some will want to maybe gain some time with an ITT the day after on Stage 5 and others will just want to not lose more time as there are gaps from Poggy and Vingegaard even this early in the race.
Philipsen Crash:
Race Highlights:
- Winner - Tim Merlier
- Yellow Jersey - Mathieu Van Der Poel
- Green Jersey - Jonathan Milan
- Polkadot Jersey - Tim Wellens
- While Jersey - Kevin Vauquelin
GC w/Time Gaps
1) MVDP
2) Pogacar - +00' 04"
3) Vingegaard - +00' 06"
5) Jorgensen - +00' 10"
12) Powless - +00' 49"
21) Evenepoel - +00' 49"
23) Roglic - +00' 49"
Next up Stage 4 - Amiens Metropole to Rouen - 174.2k - Hilly
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