On the third day of the Tour de France, the German sprint hopeful Phil Bauhaus narrowly missed out on a sensational first stage win. In the victory of Belgian Jasper Philipsen, the 28-year-old from Team Bahrain Victorious finished second after a strong mass sprint. Caleb Ewan from Australia completed the podium in third place in Bayonne, the first French stage destination.
In the spectacular final sprint in the old town of the Basque town, Bauhaus was perfectly positioned and, after an energy performance, was only beaten by the favorite Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceuninck. Adam Yates, team-mate of top favorite and overall runner-up Tadej Pogacar, easily defended his leader’s yellow jersey on the ride that preceded the stage final.
British sprinter Mark Cavendish finished sixth and missed his first chance to become the sole record stage winner on his farewell tour. He thus continues to share the record with Belgium’s legend Eddy Merckx.
Shortly after 1 p.m., the starting signal for the third section of the 110th Grande Boucle sounded in Amorebieta-Etxano, Spain. 193.5 kilometers, and thus a good six kilometers more than originally planned, had to be overcome. The reason for the sudden change: road works. But despite the additional 150 meters in altitude and a total of four smaller climbs, the section lacked the really big challenges.
A dangerous incident spoils the idyll
As on Sunday, the American Neilson Powless attacked with the aim of extending his lead in the mountains classification – which he should succeed in the course of the stage. The peloton took it easy, the drivers chatting to each other and rolling along the picture-perfect Basque Atlantic coast at a leisurely pace.
Around 70 kilometers from the finish, the idyll was suddenly marred by a dangerous incident. As on Sunday, strangers had apparently spread tacks on the road, and several professionals had to change their tires within a very short time.
At around 4:40 p.m., the convoy drove on French soil for the first time this year, which it will not leave for the next three weeks. The serious riots that have shaken the Grande Nation since last week are causing those responsible to look to the coming days with concern – even if the race on Monday was not affected. The politically tense situation is being followed very closely, said tour boss Christian Prudhomme.
Next chance for the sprinters on the fourth stage
From a sporting point of view, however, everything is going according to plan. After the battle of the top favorites had already broken out during the extremely atmospheric opening weekend in the Spanish part of the Basque country, they spent a quiet afternoon on the third stage. Challenger Pogacar, who was eleven seconds ahead of the first exchange of blows with defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, did not let a small defect spoil his good mood.
Powless was also in a good mood when he dropped back into the peloton early on. The Frenchman Laurent Pichon, who was now driving alone at the front, let the field fidget with 37 kilometers to go before the finale began.
The fourth section on Tuesday leads from Dax to Nogaro over 181.8 mostly flat kilometers and once again plays into the hands of the sprinters.