Tim Merlier beats Jonathan Milan by centimetres in Dunkirk Sprint

Tim Merlier of Soudal Quick-Step emerged victorious in the third stage of the 2025 Tour de France, narrowly defeating Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek by mere centimeters. The stage, held in Dunkirk, saw significant crashes that reshaped the race dynamics, notably the retirement of star sprinter Jasper Philipsen from Alpecin-Deceuninck

The stage began with high hopes and a palpable tension in the air as cyclists navigated the picturesque yet challenging route towards Dunkirk. Despite initial concerns about windy conditions, the race unfolded primarily without incident until the final kilometers. However, the tranquility was shattered during the intermediate sprint in Isbergues, where a collision between Jasper Philipsen and Bryan Coquard resulted in Philipsen's abrupt exit from the competition, leaving fans and competitors alike stunned.

As the race progressed, Tim Wellens of UAE made a bold solo attempt with 37 kilometers remaining, but his efforts were quickly thwarted as the peloton surged forward, setting the stage for a dramatic sprint finish. The atmosphere intensified in the final three kilometers, where two additional crashes occurred, including one that involved Remco Evenepoel of Soudal Quick-Step. Fortunately, Evenepoel appeared to escape serious injury, allowing him to continue in the race.

As the cyclists approached the finish line, the tension reached a fever pitch. Merlier, showcasing remarkable speed and resilience, surged ahead in the final meters, crossing the line just ahead of Milan. The photo finish confirmed his victory, marking a significant moment for the Belgian rider and his team.

Despite the chaos of the day, the general classification remains largely unchanged, with Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck maintaining his lead. The stage victory for Merlier, however, injects new energy into the competition, as cyclists prepare for the challenges ahead.

Looking forward, the fourth stage of the 112th Tour de France will take place on Tuesday, July 8, between Amiens Métropole and Rouen. This leg of the race spans 174.2 kilometers and features five climbs categorized as 3rd and 4th, strategically positioned in the final fifty kilometers. Cyclists will need to summon their strength and strategy as they navigate these demanding terrains.

VIDEO: 2025 Tour de France Stage 3 Highlights

2025 Tour de France Stage 3 Top 10

01  Merlier Tim Soudal Quick-Step 04:16:55
02  Milan Jonathan Lidl-Trek + 00
03  Bauhaus Phil Bahrain Victorious + 00
04  Wærenskjold Søren Uno-X Mobility + 00
05  Bittner Pavel Team Picnic PostNL + 00
06  Girmay Biniam Intermarché-Wanty + 00
07  Groves Kaden Alpecin-Deceuninck + 00
08  van Poppel Danny Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe + 00
09  Ackermann Pascal Israel-Premier Tech + 00
10  Capiot Amaury ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 00

2025 Tour de France GC after Stage 3

01  van der Poel Mathieu Alpecin-Deceuninck 12:55:37
02  Pogacar Tadej UAE Team Emirates-XRG + 04
03  Vingegaard Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 06
04  Vauquelin Kévin ARKEA-B&B HOTELS + 10
05  Jorgenson Matteo Team Visma | Lease a Bike + 10
06  Mas Enric Movistar Team + 10
07  Blackmore Joe Israel-Premier Tech + 41
08  Johannessen Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility + 41
09  O'Connor Ben Team Jayco-AlUla + 41
10  Buchmann Emanuel Cofidis + 49