Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen overtook Wout van Aert and Peter Sagan on the line to win the third stage of the Tour de France in a photo finish, as Van Aert extended his overall lead.
Most important points:
- Dylan Groenewegen’s victory came three years after his last stage win in the Tour de France
- Peter Sagan was not happy with Wout van Aert’s behavior on the line
- Van Aert still has the yellow jersey, Danish rider Magnus Cort proudly wore the polka dot jersey of the best climber
Groenewegen came behind the record seven-time Tour sprint champion Sagan’s wheel when he battled Van Aert, finding an opening to squeeze through and push his wheel over the line to win for Australia’s BikeExchange-Jayco team.
“I took a lot of wind and my legs were tired, but I still had enough to sprint to the line,” said Groenewegen.
“Wout van Aert always jokes and says that if you are not sure whether you have won, you still claim the victory and celebrate. That is what I did and I understood that I won from the team leaders who shouted in the car.”
Three years after his last Tour stage win, 29-year-old Groenewegen was open-mouthed and emotional when he put his hands over his head. The win was even more special, as he crashed nine kilometers away and had to overtake the pack.
Sagan, meanwhile, was angry with Van Aert, as he muttered angrily and wagged his finger at him after they crossed the line, finding himself on the right-hand side and close to the barriers. But there was no contact and Sagan even seemed to lean on Van Aert.
Van Aert took a six-second bonus and is now seven seconds ahead of Yves Lampaert and 14 over two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar in the standings.
Pogacar’s rival Primoz Roglic, the second Tour winner of 2020, is seventh overall, lagging Pogacar by nine seconds.
The stage started in Vejle on the Jutland peninsula and finished in Sonderborg in southern Denmark after 182 kilometers of flat racing.
Van Aert wore the leader’s jersey for the Jumbo-Visma team after he took it for the first time that Saturday. He also extended his lead in the green jersey contest for best sprinter.
Huge crowds filled the roadsides in sparkling sunshine as Danish supporters showed up dressed in red and white.
Danish rider Magnus Cort, who was in the early breakaway group on Saturday, was proud in the best climber’s polka dot jersey he claimed on Saturday.
“I was a little surprised to be in the lead alone, but it was fun anyway,” said Cort.
“I got a big lead as soon as I got away, but it was difficult to keep the peloton at bay.”
Several riders fell onto a cobblestone section with about 10 kilometers to go, but got back up to continue.
After a day of travel, the riders will tackle five small climbs in the fourth stage on the route from the coastal town of Dunkerque to Calais.
AP
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