The fact of the day
This is such a rare fact that it cannot be hidden. Usually, the yellow jersey does not change owners at the end of a stage with a flat profile like a hand. Unless, of course, the leader of the general classification goes to the ground or is caught in a curb. This Monday, however, none of that happened. To tell the truth, nothing happened at all, or almost nothing, for 230 kilometers. The peloton purred, the usual candidates for this type of breakaway remained well hidden, everyone was very bored. But, upon arrival, Tadej Pogacar (UAE-Emirates) was dismissed.
First in the general classification since the day before, in Bologna, the Slovenian had to hand in his precious jersey 24 hours later. However, there is no need to worry about him. Firstly because Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) only got the yellow in the game of accumulation of places, since he is ranked in the same time as “Pogi”. The gap is therefore tiny, if not totally non-existent. Above all, one would have to be very naive to think that this change in hierarchy could upset the outgoing winner of the Giro.
Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost), yellow jersey of the Tour de France at the end of the 3rd stage.
Credit: Getty Images
Slowed down by the fall in the final, the native of Komenda did not work hard to save his first place, and for good reason: the interim now provided by the Ecuadorian suits him well. It’s up to Carapaz to assume the media obligations inherent to his yellow jersey status, it’s up to him to arrive later than his teammates on the massage table. It is also up to his team to take on the weight of the race from Tuesday, on the endless slopes of Sestrières and Galibier. Pogacar is no longer in yellow, no, but we must not be fooled. When the time comes, he will do what is necessary to return to the forefront.
The big loser
Without a doubt, he was the most anticipated man of the day. Winner of four stages in 2023, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) logically had the sign on his back when he approached the first mass sprint of the 2024 edition. Unfortunately for him, the Belgian was unlucky in the finale. He first lost Mathieu van der Poel due to a technical problem and then, a few kilometers later, was among the victims of the fall that disorganized the peloton. Let’s bet that the Roodhooft brothers’ protégé will do everything to take his revenge on Wednesday, in Saint-Vulbas.
Picture of the day
Their escape was short-lived. Green jersey on his back, Jonas Abrahamsen quickly found himself at the forefront this Monday, accompanied by his teammate Johannes Kulset. Were the two Uno-X friends going for a long duet number? Not at all: both of them got up completely after a few kilometers, even going so far as to dismount to wait for the peloton. And too bad for those who hoped that the day would be animated by a long-distance escape.
Just a bathroom break? No, the breakaway is waiting for the peloton
We liked
The authoritative victory of Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty). In a heated finale, the Eritrean was able to maneuver skillfully and express his burst of speed to settle the competition. A runner of this standing deserved to raise his arms on the Grande Boucle. It is now done.
“This is our moment”: Moved to tears, Girmay searches for his words
The attempt by Fabien Grellier (TotalEnergies), who broke away from the peloton 66 kilometers from the finish. The Vendéen never had the shadow of a chance of a stage victory, since he never exceeded 50 seconds in advance and was in fact swallowed up well before the final race. But his escape at least allowed him to win the prize for combativeness. And, also, to get viewers out of deep boredom.
We didn’t like
Of course, the long flat stages of the Tour de France are rarely the most thrilling. In general, however, these days are animated by the traditional game of cat and mouse between the peloton and the breakaway. There was unfortunately none of that on Monday, just a long 230 km procession concluded by a mass sprint. The only moment, finally, that will deserve not to be forgotten.
There was no three-peat for the French clan, who had won both stages during the weekend. Of course, there is nothing scandalous about that. We just regret that the big French thighs did not manage to really get involved in the final fight.
A fall thinned out the peloton, Girmay sorted it out like a boss
The statement: Richard Carapaz
It’s a surprise for all of us. Since Sunday, it’s true that we talked about it a lot among ourselves, we had the feeling that we could go for this yellow jersey. It was dangerous to be at the front in the final, but we took the risk. I’m very happy.
At state: 25
Richard Carapaz becomes the 25th rider in history to have worn the leader’s jersey in the general classification on each of the three grand tours, joining Primoz Roglic, Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali in particular.
Just to know
Appearing nervous during the stage, absent from the debates in the finale: will Mark Cavendish succeed in really getting into his Tour?
Two changed wheels and an angry Cavendish
To what extent will the EF Education-EasyPost team, essentially made up of stage hunters, be able to defend Carapaz’s yellow jersey?
How is Alexis Renard, sent to the ground – against his will, obviously – by his teammate Bryan Coquard?
Coquard “mowed down” his teammate Renard: “It pisses me off…”
Survey
Will the yellow jersey change shoulders again at the end of the 4th stage?
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