Profile, hours, the Alpecin in confidence for a new sprint? The 3rd stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk in questions

After an already very lively weekend, the big loop concludes its big departure in the North with a stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk devolved to sprinters on Monday.

The Tour de France continues its route in the north of France. After the victory of Jasper Philipsen during the 1st stage in Lille and that of Mathieu Van der Poel in Boulogne-sur-Mer on Sunday, the Alpecin-Deceuninck refueled, before finding the coast of Opale on arrival, Monday, July 7, during the 3rd stage. The runners will leave from Valenciennes to reach Dunkirk. On a 178.3 km stage which has only one difficulty, Mount Cassel, the sprinters should again play the victory.

What is the profile?

This 3rd stage seems to be on the paper promised once again to a sprinter, as during the 1st stage which arrived in Lille. This time there is only one difficulty (against three Saturdays), Mont Cassel (2.3 km at 3.8%), already climbed during the 1st stage and which had given rise to a fall between Benjamin Thomas and Matteo Vercher.

This should not be enough to eliminate sprinters, who have already explained themselves during the intermediate sprint in Isbergues, located 60 km. There remains a stranger who had eliminated two in Lille, Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier: the wind, still very present in the North and which could shake the peloton again.

Who are the favorites?

As in Lille, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Tim Merlier (Sudal-Quick Step) and Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) should compete for the victory if they are all three present in the final packaging. Philipsen, who put on the yellow jersey for the first time on Saturday during his 10th victory on the Tour, has a formidable team to take him, with Mathieu Van der Poel, also a stage winner and now a carrier of the yellow tunic, and Kaden Groves.

His Belgian compatriot, Tim Merlier, hopes to compete for his first sprint in this edition, when he had won one during his only participation in 2021. Jonathan Milan will try, for his part, to open his counter on the Tour, for his first participation. Finally, we will not forget the outgoing green jersey Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty Gobert) and Soren Waerenskjold (UNO-X Mobility), on the podium during the first stage. For the French, Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) or Arnaud Démare (Arkéa B & B Hotels) are to be followed.

What are the hours?

12:57 p.m.: Start of broadcast on France 2 and france.tv(New window)(New window).
1:10 p.m.: Fictitious departure
1:25 p.m.: Real departure
5:28 p.m.: Average forecast arrival