Tim Merlier wins the third stage of the Tour de France, from Valenciennes to Dunkirk (178.6 km).

The stage was run at low speed by the group, aided by the headwind and the absence of a breakaway.

The most important moment is the very bad fall of Jasper Philipsen at the intermediate sprint (won by Milan) triggered by the contact between Coquard and Rex; Philipsen, totally blameless, hits the asphalt at over 60 km/h and is forced to retire.

The pace only increases in the last 10 km and again many falls hit the group. Only thirty men go to sprint for the victory: Milan starts first, Merlier takes his wheel and beats him by a hair. Third place for Bahuaus .

The Lidl-Trek sprinter consoles himself with the green jersey. There are no changes in the general classification, awaiting tomorrow's fourth stage with many walls in the final.

ORDER OF ARRIVAL

1 MERLIER Tim Soudal Quick-Step 4:16:55

2 MILAN Jonathan Lidl - Trek ,,

3 BAUHAUS Phil Bahrain - Victorious,,

4 WÆRENSKJOLD Søren Uno-X Mobility ,,

5 BITTNER Pavel Team Picnic PostNL ,,

6 GIRMAY Biniam Intermarché - Wanty ,,

7 GROVES Kaden Alpecin - Deceuninck,,

8 VAN POPPEL Danny Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe ,,

9 ACKERMANN Pascal Israel - Premier Tech ,,

10 CAPIOT Amaury Arkéa - B&B Hotels ,,