Tour de France Tour de France 2025, Stage 3: Valenciennes – Dunkerque (173.8k)

[Ilmaestro99]

I have written about this topic many times but I will write once more: "Sprinting" does not belong in professional road cycling or any road cycling for that matter unless 1v1 to the signpost.

Regardles of sprinting belonging or not, to put such a finish on such a flat stage on week 1 is just negligence. So so dangerous. But of course they will keep asking riders to do this and then cancel mountain stages because of a bit of rain and cold in the name of 'safety'

 

[RobertCrawley]

Merlier incredibly impressive effort.

 

[E_F_]

Wipe that stupid grin off your face Anders Mielke!

 

[Miha81]

Johnny will be in Mad Max mode after this one but no real sprinting stages in sight

 

[ppanther92]

Pogacar 19th for no reason. Extremely lucky to dodge that final crash, then.

Thats very stupid to ride up in front in such a chaotic run in

 

[Peyroteo94]

And again some people are blaming organizers when every fall is riders responsability. Sprinters are so reckless, they really need to get punished more.

 

[MartinGT]

Man, they need a patron in the peloton. Where is the respect and control? The course design didn't help but its not like we haven't had finishes like this before.

 

[Jagartrott]

What was predicted, did happen. Congratulations to the organizers.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Sprint stages are trash viewing and serve only two purposes: 1) rest for the GC contenders, assuming they survive, and 2) boosting tourism.

 

[Peyroteo94]

Pogacar 19th for no reason. Extremely lucky to dodge that final crash, then.

No, I think he arrived 2 minutes later.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Merlier is pure horsemeat

 

[ice&fire]

Good day to Soudal. Merlier wins and Remco has an excuse to drop minutes in the mountains.

He's even got an excuse for not winning the ITT

 

[scribers]

I’m guessing remco is part of some sprint train because of course he was

 

[Didinho]

They can make the 3-5km rule 10km in the next flat stage. Would’ve thought it was a 180km rule, watching this stage.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Or the run in is 8 lanes wide, completely straight.

Let's have the mountain stages in France and the sprint stages on Chinese highways. The Magnificent Tour de France of Qinghai Lake.

 

[titan31]

Pogacar 19th for no reason. Extremely lucky to dodge that final crash, then.

I don't think he was. Saw KOM Jersey just soft pedalling in in one of the groups

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

At least Milan didn't win.

 

[Krzysztof_O]

What a close finish by two sprint favourites. Marlier edges Milan. Disaster for Jasper.

No, I think he arrived 2 minutes later.

Yes, pyjamas arrived later.

 

[ppanther92]

And again some people are blaming organizers when every fall is riders responsability. Sprinters are so reckless, they really need to get punished more.

I agree tbh. The narrowing of the road where Remco crashed was suboptimal but in the end some riders were quite over-motivated today…

 

[Unchained]

Merlier is pure horsemeat

That his porn name...

 

[scribers]

I'm on board with Coquard for the combativity prize.

Things I always think, but rarely say.

Thank you for your service

 

[ppanther92]

No, I think he arrived 2 minutes later.

Ok, then the is result wrong. Would have been unnecessary risk without any potential gain anyway

 

[postmanhat]

Why in the world do they run a sure bunch sprint finish through a bunch of snaking curves?!?! Almost guaranteeing a crash. Stupid imho

The crash at the end was barely a curve at all, more of a slight bend.

Riders crash on big, wide motor racing circuits. It's the nature of the way the peleton rides these days.

 

[titan31]

I don't know why the 5km rule just isn't a GC line. Take the times at 5km so everyone not riding for the sprint can just sit up

 

[tobydawq]

Johnny Milan bottling so hard United wants to sign him.

Have you seen Merlier sprint this year?