In a thrilling and crash-marred Stage 3 of the 2025 Tour de France, Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier clinched a narrow victory in a photo finish against Italy's Jonathan Milan. The 178.3-kilometer flat stage from Valenciennes to Dunkerque unfolded under cool, overcast conditions with intermittent rain, setting the stage for a high-stakes sprint showdown that was dramatically reshaped by multiple crashes throughout the day.
The race began at a measured pace, with no early breakaways despite several attempts, as teams appeared to conserve energy for the anticipated sprint finish. The peloton, led by powerhouse squads like Alpecin-Deceuninck and Soudal-QuickStep, maintained control across the flat terrain punctuated only by a single Category 4 climb at Mont Cassel, located 31 kilometers from the finish line.
However, the day's calm was shattered 60 kilometers from Dunkerque during the intermediate sprint at Isbergues. Jasper Philipsen, the reigning green jersey holder and a key sprinter for Alpecin-Deceuninck, suffered a violent crash after contact with French rider Bryan Coquard of Cofidis and Laurenz Rex of Intermarché-Wanty. Philipsen's collision, which occurred at approximately 70 kph, resulted in severe injuries including a suspected collarbone fracture and extensive skin abrasions, forcing him to abandon the race just two days after his Stage 1 triumph. His green jersey was left torn and shredded as he slid across the pavement.
Coquard expressed remorse following the incident, stating, "I'm not a bad guy. I apologise to Alpecin, even if I didn't mean to do anything. I almost lost my shoe and there was nothing I could do." This crash not only ended Philipsen's Tour but also altered the dynamics of the sprint competition, with Jonathan Milan capitalizing by taking maximum points at the intermediate sprint and inheriting the green jersey.
Shortly after the sprint chaos, Tim Wellens of UAE Team Emirates - XRG launched a surprise solo attack with 38 kilometers remaining, targeting the King of the Mountains point atop Mont Cassel. Wellens' move was strategic, allowing him to seize the polka-dot jersey and relieve team leader Tadej Pogacar from the ceremonial duties that come with it. Wellens secured the mountain points decisively before easing back to the peloton about 27 kilometers from the finish.
As the race approached the final kilometers, tension mounted with the sprinters' teams jockeying for position. However, the finale was marred by two significant crashes within the last three kilometers. The first incident involved a TotalEnergies rider and brought down notable competitors including Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers, Jordi Meeus of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and Remco Evenepoel, Merlier's own teammate and Olympic road race champion. Despite the fall, Evenepoel remounted and completed the stage.
Another crash occurred just after the final turn, impacting riders such as Cees Bol of XDS-Astana and Alexis Renard of Cofidis. These crashes, however, did not create any time gaps due to the 5-kilometer crash rule, preserving the general classification standings.
In the chaotic sprint to the line, Milan led for much of the final 150 meters, supported by a well-organized Lidl-Trek sprint train. Merlier, initially isolated and fighting through the wind, managed to find a slipstream with 500 meters to go and launched a powerful final surge. He edged out Milan by mere centimeters in an exhilarating photo finish, with Phil Bauhaus of Bahrain Victorious taking third place.
Reflecting on his victory, Merlier said, "It was a really hard battle. It was difficult to be in position. I lost Bert [Van Lerberghe] before the last corner, but I must say the team did an incredible job in the last 5km, but then the real chaos started and it was really difficult to find position. I think from two kilometres I fought back from behind to come back in position, and I was in the wind all the time, and only with 500 metres to go I found a bit of slip stream. I know next to Milan is always difficult." This win marked Merlier's second stage victory in the Tour, fulfilling his pre-race ambition.
Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck retained the yellow jersey, maintaining his lead in the general classification. The Dutchman, who has been a standout performer this Tour, finished safely within the main group. Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard remain close behind, with four and six seconds deficits respectively.
The stage also highlighted emerging storylines beyond the road. The Visma-Lease a Bike team, led by Vingegaard, faced internal tensions following comments from his wife and personal manager, Trine Marie Vingegaard. She expressed concerns over the rider's workload, suggesting he was "burning the candle at both ends," a statement that stirred speculation about potential burnout. Team management responded by emphasizing the necessity of sacrifice for Tour success, with sports director Grischa Niermann asserting, "The sacrifice is necessary – Jonas knows that more than anybody else." Vingegaard himself acknowledged the challenges but denied feeling burned out.
Meanwhile, the defending champion Pogacar appeared content with his team's strategy, especially appreciating Wellens' role in securing the polka-dot jersey. Pogacar remarked on the novelty of wearing the climber's jersey, "I've only worn it once in six editions of the Tour."
Off the race route, the Tour's northern France stages attracted massive crowds, with regional police estimating one million spectators lining the roadsides on the opening day. Despite the excitement, the day was marked by the absence of breakaways and no "prix de combativité" was awarded due to the lack of aggressive moves.
Looking ahead, Stage 4 on July 8 will take riders from Amiens to Rouen over 174.2 kilometers featuring five hills in the final 25 kilometers. This terrain promises to shake up the general classification and invites aggressive tactics, contrasting with the flat sprint stage just completed.
In other cycling news, Anna Henderson of Lidl-Trek claimed her first World Tour stage win and the leader's pink jersey in the women's Giro d'Italia, extending her overall lead by 15 seconds over Marlen Reusser.
With the Tour de France entering its more challenging phases, the drama on and off the bike is intensifying. Merlier's sprint victory amid crashes, the shifting jerseys, and the unfolding team dynamics all set the stage for an electrifying week ahead.
