08 July, 2025

STAGE 3 DS Insights Review

08 July, 2025

Stage 3 Review – 7 July

Route

Valenciennes → Dunkerque • 178.3 km – flat coastal stage plagued by crashes and concluded with a high-stakes photo-finish in Dunkerque

Stage Winner

Tim Merlier (Soudal‑Quick‑Step) edged out Jonathan Milan in a dramatic sprint, with Phil Bauhaus completing the top three

Top 10 – Stage 3 Finishers

1. Tim Merlier (Soudal‑Quick‑Step)
2. Jonathan Milan (Lidl–Trek)
3. Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious)
4. Søren Wærenskjold (Uno‑X Mobility)
5. Pavel Bittner (Bora‑Hansgrohe)
6. Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty)
7. Jordi Meeus (Alpecin‑Deceuninck)
8. Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech)
9. Amaury Capiot (Arkea-B&B Hotels)
10. Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling)

Jersey Leaders After Stage 3

Yellow (GC): Mathieu van der Poel – Alpecin–Deceuninck
Green (Points): Jonathan Milan – Lidl–Trek
Polka-dot (KOM): Tim Wellens – UAE Team Emirates–XRG
White (Young Rider): Jonathon Milan – Lidl-Trek will be worn by Soren Waerenskjold – Uno-X Mobility
Team Competition – Groupama-FDJ has a 31-second lead over Visma/Lease a Bike

General Classification – Top 5

1. Mathieu van der Poel
2. Tadej Pogačar – +4s
3. Jonas Vingegaard – +6s
4. Kévin Vauquelin – +10s
5. Matteo Jorgenson – +10s

GC/Sprint Favourites Who Lost Time / Abandoned

Jasper Philipsen: crashed in final 3 km and abandoned
Remco Evenepoel: involved in crash but received same time

Rider Abandons

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) — crashed and did not continue

UCI Fines / Jury Notes

Bryan Coquard, Edward Theuns, Danny van Poppel, and David Ballerini all received a 500 CHF fine and yellow cards for irregular sprinting.
Luka Mezgec for discarding waste received a 500 CHF fine.
These fines also attract UCI point penalties.

DS Insight

Merlier’s sprint: Well-timed and assertive
Crash chaos: Sprint finale crashes reshuffled order
Jersey movements: Milan grabs green, Wellens polka-dot
Team classification: Groupama–FDJ leads the standings
Tactical watch: Coastal crosswinds remain a threat

Takeaway

Stage 3 was volatile—photo-finish thrills, crash exits, and new jersey shifts. Merlier’s win underscores opportunism. He showed just how to be patient and timed his final lunge to the line with perfection. Teams must brace for coastal wind tactics in Stage 4.