

Tour de France 2025 Stage 3 | THEMOVE
The Chaos and Glory of Tour de France Stage 3 Sprint Finish
Stage 3 of the 2025 Tour de France was a thrilling and eventful day, marked by a photo finish sprint between Tim Merlier and Jonathan Milan, with Merlier taking the win. Despite a seemingly straightforward flat stage, dangerous course conditions caused multiple crashes involving high-profile riders like Jasper Philipsen and Remco Evenepoel.
The narrow and technical final kilometers, with random barriers funneling riders, increased the tension and risk during the sprint. This led to discussions about race safety and course design, recalling past standards where organizers removed hazards for rider safety.
Merlier’s sprint power was remarkable, overtaking the peloton independently and managing to slot perfectly for the win despite the chaos. Meanwhile, Milan's unorthodox sprint style, pressure to end Italy's 109-stage win drought, and performance earned him the green jersey lead. The crashes notably affected team dynamics and rider morale ahead of tougher stages and an upcoming time trial.
Danger of Narrow Finishes
- Narrow, technical finishes increase crash risks in cycling races.
- Organizers' placement of barriers and road narrowing can create dangerous sprint conditions.
Jesper Philipson's Crash Impact
- Jesper Philipson crashed after a chaotic sprint where multiple riders collided.
- His injury was severe and immediate hope faded as he landed hard on his shoulder.