Sprint leader Jasper Philipsen crashes out of Tour as Tim Merlier wins chaotic stage three

Sprint leader Jasper Philipsen crashes out of Tour as Tim Merlier wins chaotic stage three
  • Remco Evenepoel able to get up after he also crashed

  • Tim Wellens claims climber’s jersey off defending champion Pogacar

Tim Merlier took stage three of the Tour de France here in Dunkirk, after the peloton’s top sprinter and points leader Jasper Philipsen, crashed out of the race 60km from the finish.

Merlier’s own celebrations were muted because of another crash 3km from the end that took down his ­Soudal Quick-Step team leader, Remco Evenepoel, although the ­frustrated Olympic road race ­champion was able to remount and finish the stage.

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