Even with a cleat pulled from the pedal in the final 300 metres, world champion Peter Sagan was able to hold off Michael Matthews and Dan Martin to win Stage 3 of the Tour de France. The Bora-Hansgrohe rider won the 212km stage that began in Belgium, traveled through Luxembourg, and finished in France, atop the 1.6km Cat. 3 climb, the Côte des Religieuses at Longwy.
Sunny skies greeted the peloton for the 212.5km route from Verviers to Longwy, which was contested in three different countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The route also traveled through the famous track of Spa-Francorchamps, well known for motor racing, but also for cyclocross.
After 10km, Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin), Adam Hansen (Lotto-Soudal) and Romain Hardy (Fortuneo-Oscaro) opened a 20-second lead over Romain Sicard (Direct Energie), Frederik Backaert (Wanty) and Nate Brown (Cannondale). Before long, it was a six-man breakaway that would spend the day together, off the front. With 57km to go, three bridging riders — Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Lilian Calméjane (Direct Energie) and Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo-Oscaro) — made contact with the six at the front, making a nine-man group.
Calmejane was the last man standing, though he was caught at 10km to go, and the battle for the stage win was reset. On the finishing climb, the 1.6km Côte des Religieuses, Richie Porte of BMC Racing attacked with about 900 metres to go, and opened a gap. However Sagan closed the gap, and went to the front. As he opened up his sprint, his right foot disengaged from the cleat. Sagan calmly found the pedal and clipped back in, continuing his sprint to the line.
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- Nairo Quintana’s fans are some of the most enthusiastic as for any rider in the peloton.
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- Italian champion Fabio Aru calmly rolled toward the start post sign-in.
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- German champion Marcus Burghardt energized the crowd at the start in Verviers, Belgium.
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- The peloton made its way around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit at 22 kilometers into Stage 3.
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- The day’s breakaway ascended a riser on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
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- Team Sky stuck together, defending the yellow jersey of Geraint Thomas, on the famous race circuit of Spa-Francorchamps.
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- Bora-Hansgrohe and Sky strung out the peloton on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
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- The symmetry of the forest surrounding the Spa-Francorchamps circuit on Stage 3 struck a distinct contrast with the paved tarmac.
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- Nate Brown (Cannondale-Drapac) lead the breakaway through the countryside.
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- Out of the light and into the dark for two men of the day’s breakaway, Nate Brown (Cannondale-Drapac) and Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin).
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- Richie Porte (BMC Racing) went on the attack in the final kilometer, opening a gap on Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo).
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- Michael Matthews (Sunweb) came frustratingly close to overcoming Sagan on the line.
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- Despite, in his words, “many mistakes” in the last 500 meters of Stage 3, Sagan took the victory in Longwy.
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- A different perspective of the world champion.
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- Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet had high aspirations for the finish in Longwy but could only manage fourth on the day after teammate Richie Porte launched a long-range attempt up the Côte des Religieuses.
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- World time trial champion Tony Martin sustained damage to his right knee, and a concussion, during a Stage 2 tumble.
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- Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin) sporting bandages from a Stage 2 crash. Those aren’t custom painted Sidis.
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- Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), winner of the punchy finale of Stage 3, taking a sponsor placement tip from the motor and snowsports industries.
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- Despite his meeting with the ground on rainy Stage 2, Geraint Thomas had a strong showing today, preserving his overall lead.
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- Marcel Kittel (Quick Step Floors) retained the green points jersey after Stage 3.
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- After an extensive day in the breakaway, Nate Brown (Cannondale-Drapac) aquired the Polka-dot Jersey from teammate Taylor Phinney.