Jasper Philipsen secured victory on the third stage of the Tour de France in the sprint on Monday (July 3rd, 2023) just ahead of Phil Bauhaus (Bocholt). The German sprinter missed his first major success by just a few centimetres. Laurent Pichon had previously shone at the front during his 150km ride. In total, the peloton covered 193.5 kilometers of racing from Amorebieta-Etxano in the Spanish Basque Country to Bayonne in France.
Wearing the leader’s yellow jersey, Cofidis rider Adam Yates remains just ahead of his teammate and top favorite Tadej Pogačar and his twin brother Simon Yates (Team Jayco–AlUla). Philipsen caught up with Victor Lafay in the sprinter classification (both 80 points), but Lafay continued to wear the green jersey because of his better overall placement. Neilson Powless remains the leader in the mountains classification.
On a sharp start: Pichon and Powless attack
Already at the sharp start of the race, Laurent Pichon (Team Arkea-Samsic) and Neilson Powless in the polka dot jersey of the best climber had set off and pulled away from the peloton. Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) continued to diligently collect mountain points and alternated leadership with the 37-year-old Frenchman.
More than 70 kilometers solo
With about 111km to go in Bayonne, Powless and Pichon clapped hands before the American dropped back and released Pichon on his solo run. The field let the Arkea rider do as he wanted, but made sure not to let the gap grow to more than two minutes.
After about 70 km of riding past countless enthusiastic cycling fans in the Basque Country over to France, the peloton caught up with the meanwhile exhausted Laurent Pichon – the day’s decision was to be made in the sprint, where Philipsen (Alpecin – Deceuninck) ahead of tour debutant Bauhaus (Bahrain Victorious) and Caleb Ewan from (Australia, Lotto–Dstny) prevailed.
“Wave” by Philipsen in the sprint?
During the sprint, a small driving maneuver by Philipsen, who at top speed slightly got into the driving line of Wout van Aert, caused some discussion – which, however, happened just at the right-hand barrier. It was unclear whether Jumbo-Visma would still appeal against the daily ranking.
British sprint star 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.
Concerns about nationwide riots and dangerous intervention in the race again
The serious riots that have shaken the Grande Nation since last week are causing those responsible to look to the coming days with some concern. The politically tense situation is being followed very closely, said tour boss Christian Prudhomme. After the death of a 17-year-old by police violence, there were days of riots across the country, but they became less at the beginning of the week.
Meanwhile, the stage was apparently the target of saboteurs again: As on Sunday on the second stage, numerous drivers had defects in their tires, probably caused by thumbtacks scattered on the road. Luckily there were no falls, all the riders who were injured were able to continue the stage after changing their wheels.
4th stage from Dax to Nogaro
The fourth stage on Tuesday starts in Dax and leads very flat over 181.8 km to Nogaro before the first mountain stage of this year’s tour awaits the riders on Wednesday.