STAGE 3 DS INSIGHTS

Tour de France – Stage 3 DS Insights
STAGE 3 – 7 JULY – Valenciennes → Dunkerque | 178.3 km

STAGE OVERVIEW

• Distance: 178.3 km – the flattest stage yet
• Start: Valenciennes → Finish: Dunkerque
• Elevation Gain: 792 m
• Terrain: Flat, sprinters’ day with just one minor climb in the finale

KOM CLIMBS

• Mont Cassel – Category 4 (2.3 km @ 3.8%), 31 km from finish.

🟢 INTERMEDIATE SPRINT

• Location: Isbergues (118 km)
• Points on Offer (Green Jersey): Top 15: 20–17–15–13–11–10–9–8–7–6

🎯 DS INSIGHTS

• Coastal headwinds may temper crosswind chaos, but echelons remain possible.
• Likely outcome: full bunch sprint unless a late break surprises.
• GC riders must stay vigilant—bonus seconds at sprints matter.
• The Milan vs. Girmay story: A tense Wordy clash after yesterday’s sprint preëm may be settled today—especially since Girmay was absent and Stage 3 favors pure speed.
• Sprinters to Watch:
  • Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck)
  • Jonathan Milan (Lidl–Trek)
  • Tim Merlier (Soudal–Quick‑Step)
  • Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty)
  • Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco–AlUla)
  • Jordi Meeus (BORA–Hansgrohe)

🔍 FACT FILE

• Classic Northern France route: Lillers → Isbergues → Dunkerque canals.
• Mont Cassel is the only bump in an otherwise flat field.
• Dunkerque known for flat sprint finishes—will bonus seconds shape GC positioning?

🏁 LIKELY CONTENDERS

• Pure Sprinters: Philipsen, Milan, Merlier, Girmay, Groenewegen, Meeus

🎖 JERSEY COMPETITIONS & TEAM CLASSIFICATION (After Stage 2)

Putting it all together: Stage 3 sets up for a classic sprint finale—with a mix of rivalry storylines, bonus second jostling for GC, and key jersey battles staying close.