Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco) got an emotional victory in stage 3, increasing his number of stages in the Tour de France to five (six including the TTT) after three years out.
The final day of the Tour in Denmark saw a rare solo getaway, which would normally mean boredom for fans, and an additional day of recovery for the risk-free platoon on the road. Today, however, the lone guard was the star player of Stage 2, Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost), who, now resplendent with moles, chased the Cat trio of the day. 4 climbs amid roaring Danish fans, ensuring one last podium celebration at home.
With their work done, Cort was again absorbed by the peloton a little beyond 50km for the finish and with a slight threat of wind, the sprint teams maintained control with care and calm.
There was a nervous crash on the outskirts of the last 10 kilometers after a bit of a squeeze near the front that was waved by the peloton. A few small groups have been chasing for several seconds, including Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost) for the second day at the trot, but the favorites of the stage were not affected.
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl prevailed at the head of the group in the last three kilometers, and although the winner of the second stage Fabio Jakobsen was out of position for the last left, his team remained in the in front.
With Michael Mørkøv at the helm of the group, race leader Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) was the first to open up, but a total increase on the line resulted in a final photo between the yellow jersey, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), and among them Groenewegen, the launch of the bicycle made him advance.
It is the first win of a stage of the Dutch Tour since his last appearance in the race in 2019, and it is a great result for his new team BikeExchange-Jayco.
Meanwhile, Van Aert may be feeling his patience stretched to the breaking point with a third finalist in three stages, but at least he is extending his lead in both the yellow jersey and the points classification.
Tour de France (2.UWT) Vejle → Sønderborg