DistantNews
Support us
🇫🇷 France /Sports

Tour de France: Merlier Wins Third Stage Amidst Crashes and Showmanship

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Cyclist Tim Merlier secured his third stage victory of the 2026 Tour de France, outpacing Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen in a chaotic sprint finish.
  • French rider Baptiste Veistroffer and American Quinn Simmons were noted for their aggressive and crowd-pleasing efforts during the stage.
  • The stage was marred by a significant crash involving several riders, including Fernando Gaviria, and Jasper Philipsen's continued inability to secure a win.

Tim Merlier claimed his third stage win of the 2026 Tour de France on Thursday, solidifying his dominance in the sprint finishes. The Soudal Quick-Step rider crossed the line ahead of Olav Kooij and Jasper Philipsen, who was expertly positioned by teammate Mathieu van der Poel but ultimately could not match Merlier's speed. This victory marks Merlier's sixth career win on the Grand Boucle.

Third victory for Merlier. A third crown for the sprint king of the 2026 edition, Tim Merlier.

— Le FigaroHighlighting Tim Merlier's dominant performance and third stage win.

Earlier in the stage, Baptiste Veistroffer, known for his attacking style, launched another breakaway attempt with three companions. Despite his consistent efforts, the group was reeled in by the peloton with 32 kilometers remaining. American rider Quinn Simmons also provided a spectacle, interacting with his father in the crowd during a moment of showmanship on the road.

But when will the boar of Fouesnant with a beef heart stop?

— Le FigaroDescribing Baptiste Veistroffer's persistent attacking efforts.

However, the stage was not without incident. A major crash occurred in the final kilometers, involving multiple riders. Colombian cyclist Fernando Gaviria was among those who fell heavily after touching the wheel of another rider, highlighting the inherent risks of high-speed sprint finishes. Jasper Philipsen, despite receiving strong support from Van der Poel, once again finished behind Merlier, extending his winless streak in this edition of the Tour.

Quinn Simmons has no equal for creating spectacle in the Tour de France peloton.

— Le FigaroCommenting on Quinn Simmons' showmanship during the stage.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog