First major mountain showdown: Tour leaves Spain and enters France

The third stage of the Tour de France promises the race's first significant mountain showdown as it departs Spain and enters France. Cyclists will tackle a nearly 196-kilometer route from Granollers to the ski resort of Les Angles, navigating a challenging 3,850 meters of elevation gain. This stage also signifies the caravan's crossing of the Pyrenees, returning to French territory after initial stages in Catalonia.

The true mountain battle commences in Ripoll, with a gradual ascent towards the Collada de Toses pass after 36 kilometers of continuous climbing. The finish line for this inaugural mountain stage is at the ski resort, following a 4.7-kilometer climb with an average gradient of 4.6 percent. The final 1.7 kilometers are particularly demanding, with the road steepening to an average gradient of 6.5 percent.

This stage saw a historic achievement for Mexican cycling, with 22-year-old Isaac del Toro claiming victory. It marks Mexico's first stage win in the world's premier cycling race since Raúl Alcalá in 1990. Del Toro's success was complemented by Tadej Pogačar's second-place finish, securing a landmark one-two finish for their team, UAE Team Emirates XRG, in a Tour de France stage for the first time.

Pogačar's second-place finish further cements his status among the Tour's top contenders. This result marks his 41st podium finish in a Tour de France stage, surpassing historical figures like Charles Pélissier and François Faber on the all-time list. He now has 21 stage wins, 12 second places, and eight third places. Despite these strong performances, Jonas Vingegaard retains the yellow jersey.