{"id":2029008,"date":"2026-07-06T09:05:30","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:05:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029008"},"modified":"2026-07-06T09:05:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T06:05:30","slug":"tour-de-france-stage-3-live-rapid-start-to-the-day-with-ultra-competitive-breakaway-battle-and-still-lots-of-climbing-to-come","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029008","title":{"rendered":"Tour de France stage 3 LIVE \u2013 Rapid start to the day with ultra competitive breakaway battle, and still lots of climbing to come"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6cxXeQ7oKfsFdaaEXseNtM-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Q4cph26DeapJ8mNDeU9zEQ.jpg\" alt=\"Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe team&amp;#039;s Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel (L), UAE Team Emirates - XRG&amp;#039;s Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the climber&amp;#039;s dotted jersey (2nd L), Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey (C), UAE Team Emirates - XRG&amp;#039;s US rider Brandon McNulty (center R) and riders emerge from yellow smoke as they cycle in the ascent of Montjuic Palace in the final kilometers of the 2nd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 168,5 km between Tarragona and Barcelona in northeastern Spain, on July 5, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: UAE Team Emirates-XRG show their muscle on Montju\u00efc circuit on Tour de France stage 2\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kjbc5ub8JBrEiLVotaWVkA.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike riders cycle past the Sagrada Familia Basilica during the 1st stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 19,6 km team time trial stage in and around Barcelona in northeastern Spain, on July 4, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    How it unfolded: Huge fight among the big GC teams for victory at Barcelona team time trial Grand D\u00e9part\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B3jSJZ9hH8SKgVMX5ZorvU.png\" alt=\"BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 02: Isaac Del Toro of Mexico during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - UAE Team Emirates - XRG, Training on July 02, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images )\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel battle it out for first yellow jersey in team time trial, but can Ineos spoil the GC party?\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nlive-article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 3 LIVE \u2013 Rapid start to the day with ultra competitive breakaway battle, and still lots of climbing to come<\/h1>\n<h2>This 195.9km route with 3,950 metres of elevation gain could deliver a GC battle, but also provides a great springboard for an opportunist looking to grab the yellow jersey<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3-live\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>1<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comment<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6cxXeQ7oKfsFdaaEXseNtM.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\">\n<span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Race Situation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Have your say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Neutral roll out<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Official start<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Climb: C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>170km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>140km to go<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-489b2370-40c5-4767-8b1d-b211e38cfcae\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-be4c15b9-13a8-4f4e-83d4-a269607c61b6\"><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Route<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-be4c15b9-13a8-4f4e-83d4-a269607c61b6-2\"><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France stage 3 &#8211; Preview<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Watch the 2026 Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e316cd4d-1914-4801-aa01-015589a2aeee\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-8abc64cf-6e81-456b-9340-f379fe82fa53\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-670b3b63-9586-4160-9c24-776dec58f3e2\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W5xQxe\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:49:29.627Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-b14cd0c5-0b49-47c1-a236-173acb606f60\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"new-break-could-this-be-the-one-2\">New break \u2013 could this be the one?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-90f40298-bf73-4575-9900-de7c80466d77\">A new group is up the road: Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep), Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobliity), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies).<\/p>\n<p>They only have a handful of seconds, but look pretty low-risk for the GC teams. Still riders trying to bridge across behind.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:45:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:45:11.362Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-502a3c64-e083-4d06-85ef-d75e82795027\">Bunch is all together as they head through a town. Lots of fans out, which is nice to see \u2013 reminder there shouldn&#8217;t be fans on the road for the final 40km once we return to France.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:36:13+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:36:13.444Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b5a6044-1289-41ba-b32c-35f228e9e449\">Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) is pushing on now.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s probably getting a bit desperate now. A break really needs to get well established before the next big climb if they&#8217;re going to have any chance of surviving to the line.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:30:42+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:30:42.656Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca58a6a4-3757-4c27-9027-c3bf70cc3a02\">It is hot, hot, hot.<\/p>\n<p>Some riders who were dropped earlier, like Lenny Martinez, are getting back onto the bunch now as we head back onto the flat.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a good bit of respite from the climbing now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3be73eda-6aa0-486d-9c3e-e6c0a40ba15c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2i5TeEUSCnkUyuybCkARz6.jpg\" alt=\"TotalEnergies team&amp;#039;s French rider Thibault Guernalec douses himself with water to cool down as he cycles during the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 195,9 km between Granollers in Spain and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:27:51+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:27:51.458Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-8311f3b1-86f7-431f-9c87-684ed1e5d0f0\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"uae-vs-visma-already-2\">UAE vs Visma already?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0\">Del Toro, Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are right on the front of the bunch keeping an eye on things.<\/p>\n<p>The bunch settled for a moment just then on a narrow road but it&#8217;s kicked off again as the road opened up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0-2\">I think part of the issue here and why things are taking so long is because Visma really want Jorgenson to get in the break and go for a stage win, but UAE do not want this to happen. The rivalry between these two teams has defined the Tour for years, and nothing is changing today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:24:02+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:24:02.082Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2980929d-0485-4503-b1b1-214351e3255b\">And the Bernal group has been caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 40km done! This is a long one. Brutal start given the heat, and indeed the climbing to come.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:21:41+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:21:41.072Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70500fd7-e69e-42f1-9af5-d45bc3d56a2e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"still-no-break-2\">Still no break<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-67decd07-e1cd-4bfa-a312-213e134dce5d\">But I think we are getting closer&#8230; A group of eight are out front now, including Bernal who is keen to get away today. Still riders trying to chase behind though so let&#8217;s see if this group gets established.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:20:35+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:20:35.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aad34ba9-c8c4-426c-a390-fb878c351ee6\">Here are some of the riders who have been involved in the battle for the break so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-abaec744-1973-4218-8e83-219b3ce7c177\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Gm4xksqWp898czgdMNmSyX.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:12:44+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:12:44.786Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-7904fbe1-9bea-4aad-a614-01441b422d3e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-riders-stay-cool-in-the-tour-de-france-2\">How do riders stay cool in the Tour de France?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-aa3bdbb1-f62e-46ee-af01-d373feecd231\">It&#8217;s been a very hot start to the race, with teams using all sorts of different methods to stay cool. My colleague Will has run through a few of them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From alcohol sprays to forearm bathing: All the cooling strategies the pros use to beat the heat at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dfb5cff2-23e8-4425-901b-91f0492e9a16\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fq3FNh2SMKktkyT5LBVvU.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: Fred Wright of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling refreshes prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:09:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:09:47.337Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c91ffd9c-ea59-4b08-8838-91501a1f1f26\">Prediction from cjrogers2002 in the comments:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-17237819-00d2-4869-8b73-39906f96b348\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>Juan Ayuso takes a late flyer and it sticks to the line just ahead of Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Del Toro.<\/p><figcaption><cite>cjrogers2002<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0797b02b-105d-44d2-be13-ef13245bae22\">Any advances on that? Drop your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:08:34+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:08:34.604Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7bc1d1c2-82d2-495a-862b-ee77aa256b2a\">More than 25km of this breakaway battle already done. Everything&#8217;s back together and it&#8217;s starting again.<\/p>\n<p>When the battle takes a while like this, it can eventually work against the break \u2013 they have less time to build a good gap, and those in the group end up more tired. Success is more likely when they go early-ish.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:07:04+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:07:04.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c56f187b-d5ef-4063-b036-372b8bd902d7\">Jorgenson is on the front and flicking his elbow asking riders to give him some help. So that would suggest that he is trying to get in the break and work with attackers, rather than just police. Interesting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:05:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:05:53.228Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9c30a085-b4ff-433e-9694-4774fc1ba16c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"van-der-poel-on-the-attack-2\">Van der Poel on the attack<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469\">Well look who it is&#8230; Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is having a go on the front!<\/p>\n<p>He said pre-race that he&#8217;d like to wear yellow again this Tour. He&#8217;s at 1:26 right now, so if he got in a successful move today it could happen.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469-2\">But it remains really tricky to get in a break. The pace is high and so many riders want to be involved \u2013 Egan Bernal is the next to put in a big push.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:02:52+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:02:52.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860\">On a quick descent now before the road kicks up again shortly.<\/p>\n<p>George Bennett (NSN) is attacking off the front on his own, with the bunch stretched out behind him.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860-2\">He&#8217;s a local rider who has lived in Girona and Andorra so may well know these roads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:01:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:01:53.763Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6d483ded-116d-4b95-a09e-e55d8f7980e8\">Back together at the front. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar) is struggling out the back&#8230; not a great start to the Tour for him. He came here to target GC.<\/p>\n<p>Paret-Peintre won max points at the top of the climb.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-e2c83b42-a275-48b4-905a-ed0c56b403c3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"kom-results-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-cat-3-2\">KoM results \u2013 C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (cat. 3)<\/h2>\n<ol start=\"1\" id=\"elk-c5a10bda-ca86-490c-b6b3-9aacb8bd6846\">\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) \u2013 2 pts<\/li>\n<li>Javier Romo (Movistar) \u2013 1 pt<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:57:17+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:57:17.717Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2a91a6e8-4c2d-4d8d-9c66-55ad7dc3e2e7\">Up front, Javier Romo (Movistar) and Paret-Peintre are in the lead but not far in front of the bunch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:56:36+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:56:36.234Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dd31a820-8809-45c4-afd1-2bf9e5d47fb1\">Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon CMA CGM) is also at the medical car, he&#8217;s clearly been down too.<\/p>\n<p>He is a very important domestique for Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:54:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:54:21.382Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4eb724bc-d83a-4633-bc5a-506225d21ebb\">That crash has split and slowed things down in the bunch a bit I think. Those who got through unscathed are just taking the foot off the gas to allow things to come back together.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail is at the medical car.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:53:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:53:33.846Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-430c510b-d249-49af-81ff-c633ad73a5fa\">Everyone looks to be up and riding again, but that was a big hit for a lot of riders.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail was the first so go down and slowest to start again. His shoe looks to be broken.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:52:58+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:52:58.034Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-e49dac97-a5f9-4c55-80ab-b2f50e5ea026\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"crash-in-the-bunch-2\">Crash in the bunch<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-064e6a3d-6956-47ee-8e09-57798fc4d4df\">Oof big old crash in the peloton, happened near the front and lots of riders went down or were held up.<\/p>\n<p>Isaac del Toro was affected, Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike), several Netcompany Ineos riders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:49:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:49:11.384Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0569754d-16ce-4857-b73d-7e752b3cc79c\">Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is puttin in a big dig, with Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) on his wheel. The serious riders are coming out to play now, will be interesting to see what the GC teams think to this&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:46:45+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:46:45.122Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><span>Climb: C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4017bcba-3b95-4703-8618-7ad3662e6b15\">Onto the climb now, bunch is together but the attacks are starting.<\/p>\n<p>Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9) is already struggling out the back. He&#8217;s had a rubbish start to this race, he&#8217;s been ill.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:40:07+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:40:07.124Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-abef0ca7-e3b6-4dfd-80e0-76023af6195c\">That&#8217;s pretty much closed down now. So we start again. The first climb starts in about 5km, and it&#8217;s 7km long.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:39:14+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:39:14.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2eea189d-8352-4c0f-a572-c1d748790c94\">Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna (Movistar) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) have just joined the leaders, with a load more riders chasing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:38:20+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:38:20.922Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-4f5f0cd8-5683-45f7-a701-7030dbd33a11\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"five-off-the-front-2\">Five off the front<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-c4545f10-2b88-4c26-b534-59a55194e3a3\">A group of five have just chipped off the front and they have about 10 seconds, but we&#8217;re nowhere near done \u2013 the breakaway battle has only just begun, I&#8217;d say.<\/p>\n<p>But for reference, they are:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-425be655-5a77-4067-b733-ee7526b7dd3d\">\n<li>Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep)<\/li>\n<li>Tr\u00e6en (Uno-X Mobility)<\/li>\n<li>Slock (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9)<\/li>\n<li>Guernalec (TotalEnergies)<\/li>\n<li>Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:35:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:35:00.855Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-377ca5aa-7c61-487f-855b-b6482452f965\">Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) is in the mix near the front. Probably policing things for his team, keeping an eye on who is doing what, more than trying to get involved himself.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s mainly strong breakaway specialists and smaller team riders who are having a go right now, but it&#8217;s not quite full gas yet.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:33:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:33:19.738Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-920c8f8d-a2cb-4ff7-ba43-4ce9261a1b57\">The first climb starts in just a few kilometres, so actually instead of attacks from the gun we&#8217;re seeing a relatively calm peloton right now. Riders are amassing at the front, but not launching just yet, as they will be a big fight on the climb \u2013 they&#8217;re saving their energy for that.<\/p>\n<p>As I say that, Louis Vervaeke launches a little move off the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:31:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:31:10.902Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-cc148296-9c18-4539-80e1-f9303afe7798\">Off we go! 195.9km on the menu today, with three cat. 3 climbs and one cat. 1.<\/p>\n<p>Full stage preview: <strong>Tour de France 2026 stage 3 preview &#8211; Where there&#8217;s smoke, there could be fire<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5d86da7-644b-4f55-adef-182e8b14c8f8\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:25:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:25:19.687Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5dd7450e-657b-450f-a2c2-b3eef43b2cfc\">Talking of their rivalry, though, we&#8217;ve done a few Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard head to heads recently, comparing their bikes and their physiology.<\/p>\n<p>Have a read here:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3e02abab-09d9-4482-813a-8d4a52beffa5\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB.png\" alt=\"Tadej Poga&amp;amp;#269;ar and Jonas Vingegaard with data visuals in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:22:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:22:33.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08ba44f2-d3db-4ec2-a1e1-e7d67c69e30c\">Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are having a bit of a chat and a laugh in the roll out. Big rivals but these two really do get along and like each other.<\/p>\n<p>Other riders on the front and possibly priming for a go in the break include Mads Pedersen, Quentin Pacher and Lewis Askey.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:20:31+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:20:31.637Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ecff17cc-f86a-4a00-b7ee-3e0cc97d4d79\">Fortunately yesterday some other teams were on hand to help Del Toro out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sportsmanship on show at Tour de France as Isaac del Toro gets mechanical assistance from rival teams after his own team cars drive straight past him<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2073854550390272062\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Remontada hist\u00f2rica d&#8217;Isaac del Toro #tdf2026 pic.twitter.com\/GdOy9fhBcLJuly 5, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:19:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:19:21.223Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ae88238-334c-423c-978a-f55b6d86a433\">Isaac del Toro is back at the car getting some assistance with his radio. (After yesterday&#8217;s mishap where his team car drove straight past him, they&#8217;ll want to be sure communication is all working today!)<\/p>\n<p>5km left of the neutral, but they won&#8217;t actually drop the flag until everyone is back in the bunch, so no rush for Del Toro.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:16:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:16:47.587Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-887856b9-bc5d-477f-aee9-3c21c471e60b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:11:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:11:10.723Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7f27b2a6-d354-4e03-970e-161c2e354205\">They&#8217;re off! About 10 minutes of neutralised racing before the flag drops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:08:08+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:08:08.227Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8afb5a20-61b3-4e0c-a649-c548bb745b09\">The riders are assembling for the start now. Neutral roll out coming shortly \u2013 the flag should drop about 10 minutes later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:06:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:06:26.928Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60599178-cf49-4101-8196-764b1b80e7a5\">First glimpse this morning of Vingegaard in yellow again this morning, and his mask.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-51bd5827-2cf8-4d31-aefb-49237d66e1dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ipfromjtfjryStR6xpfQqG.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey and a protective face mask awaits the start of the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 196 km between Granollers and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:00:54+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:00:54.993Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393\">There doesn&#8217;t seem to be much consensus on what kind of a stage today might be.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently Visma are happy to let the yellow jersey go if the opportunity arises, but only to the right rider \u2013 i.e. not Tadej Poga\u010dar or another GC rival. It certainly seems like a day that would be good for the breakaway, and could come with big rewards, so I&#8217;d predict a pretty big fight to get in that move. But equally, if a rider like Poga\u010dar or Del Toro get the chance to make some GC fireworks, they won&#8217;t give that opportunity up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393-2\">What do you think? Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:55:24+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:55:24.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11bdbaec-669c-4bb1-b8c7-d84e78a88fc5\">Vingegaard is wearing a face mask to sign on and the mixed zone again. He&#8217;s clearly not taking any chances when it comes to getting sick at this race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:52:50+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:52:50.805Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-5e1abff9-cf70-4c44-9770-21b0bdcf277c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"overall-standings-and-jerseys-2\">Overall standings and jerseys<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1\">Quick reminder of who is wearing what today:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udfe1 Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1-2\">\ud83d\udfe2 Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd34 Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/p>\n<p>\u26aa Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) *<em>Del Toro leads the classification<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Full standings: <\/strong><strong>Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on Jonas Vingegaard with time bonus on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:44:40+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:44:40.040Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-2c336651-a439-465b-8688-2b890654c899\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hot-day-ahead-2\">Hot day ahead<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-1b54e8f1-7b63-4c46-931e-7cd73c28c24d\">Lots of cooling going on at the start. It&#8217;s 33\u00baC in Granollers already.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3a73750b-ed96-4572-8882-d42a5fe1cb9c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4pgWEMZFSr3DX2kp6ruZFE.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: A Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider wearing and ice vest prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:39:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:39:00.934Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-775a9f29-3c46-43bf-b758-1e9fcfa83638\">About 30 minutes to go until the neutral roll out. The teams are currently signing on in Granollers, which you can<strong> <\/strong><strong>watch live on the Tour&#8217;s Twitter feed<\/strong>, if you want.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:34:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:34:26.875Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e\">Apart from the tricky parcours, the reason there&#8217;s a bit of tension hanging over today is because wildfires are currently raging in southern France, which yesterday were threatening to cancel today&#8217;s stage.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, ASO and the local authorities have decided to go ahead, but with strict instructions to fans to <em><strong>not <\/strong><\/em>come and watch the final 40km of the stage. There will be now publicity caravan, in order to further deter spectators, and there may be fines handed out for anyone who disobeys the stay-away instruction.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e-2\">More on this: <strong>Tour de France stage 3 to go ahead but spectators asked not to attend finish due to forest fires in &#8216;exceptional decision&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2074063256516276680\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udeab Stage 3 of the #TDF2026: No spectators along the route for the final 40 kilometers or at the finish line.Due to the wildfire currently affecting the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Orientales and to allow for the maximum mobilization of emergency resources, the 3rd stage of the Tour de France will\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WtVilXsgIKJuly 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:27:15+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:27:15.987Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-996271c7-a99d-4e98-a7c9-40d084cdac0c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gc-analysis-2\">GC analysis<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404\">We are only two days into this Tour de France, but after the opening TTT and yesterday&#8217;s Montju\u00efc fireworks, the GC race is well and truly on, earlier than ever.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard is in yellow for the first time in three years, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG took the spoils yesterday in an ominous performance. Indeed, Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s &#8216;gift&#8217; to Isaac del Toro may be a very important part of the race to come \u2013 because he probably just sealed the Mexican&#8217;s loyalty and highest commitment for the rest of the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404-2\">My colleague James, who is on the ground at the race, wrote more about this:<\/p>\n<p><strong>The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:15:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:15:53.328Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60ffdf84-fb66-4ed1-8d64-07ccaaf34364\">If you were out enjoying your weekend yesterday, here&#8217;s what you missed on stage 2. It was an absolutely cracker, especially the finale, so I&#8217;d totally recommend seeking out the highlights, too, but here&#8217;s the rundown and results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tour de France: Isaac del Toro, Tadej Poga\u010dar power to UAE Team Emirates 1-2 on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e77aa120-5ab7-4d4e-938a-2a2944a49baa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Toe9RzeMqjgbDqtagCHTWC.jpg\" alt=\"BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 05: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia - Polka dot Mountain Jersey and stage winner Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at finish line during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 2 a 168.5km stage from Tarragona to Barcelona 109m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 05, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:11:37+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:11:37.251Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9171d873-b14d-4632-9e2e-8605e067a2ee\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"today-s-parcours-2\">Today&#8217;s parcours<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8c8fc8eb-5085-4537-b793-6140722f1ea0\">Here is what&#8217;s on the cards today from Granollers in Spain to Les Angles in France. The peloton cross the border at just over 150km into the stage, so we&#8217;re mainly still in Spain after the weekend&#8217;s Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8eb2e9c7-b915-47d8-bed3-683d65ec5383\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul id=\"elk-b5361d06-b98a-46f6-a6fe-3a949a48c781\">\n<li><strong>Length: <\/strong>195.9km<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elevation gain: <\/strong>3,940m<\/li>\n<li><strong>Intermediate sprint: <\/strong>Campdev\u00e0nol, km 98.4<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climbs:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 17.2<\/li>\n<li>Col de Toses (9.3km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 1, km 127.7<\/li>\n<li>Col du Calvaire (11.4km at 4.1%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 172.3<\/li>\n<li>Les Angles (1.7km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 195.9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3\">Good morning and welcome to <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<p>Matilda here, and I&#8217;ll be guiding you through the stage all day. It could be an interesting one, as the race heads back into France via plenty of climbing.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3-2\">Any questions or comments? Drop them in the comments section below and I&#8217;ll get back to you there, or answer anything interesting here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-content widget-ads-ads-content widget-no-data widget-ads-incontent_ad\">\n<div id=\"bdx_incontent_ad\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"incontent_ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"newsletter\" id=\"newsletter\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-newsletter widget-newsletter widget-newsletter-newsletter widget-newsletter-fter\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"mostpopular\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-mostpopular widget-dynamic-mostpopular widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HzJ4jk9jTLVFUyhHDozwwY.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: Refreshment area prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How do riders stay cool at the Tour de France? Alcohol sprays and frozen carbs are just the tip of the iceberg<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Sportsmanship on show at Tour de France as Isaac del Toro gets mechanical assistance from rival teams after his own team cars drive straight past him<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">How to watch Tour de France Stage 3: All the broadcasters and live streams as the peloton heads to the Pyrenees<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France stage 3 LIVE \u2013 Rapid start to the day with ultra competitive breakaway battle, and still lots of climbing to come<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">UCI Gravel World Series: Petr Vako\u010d and Nele Laing celebrate in Singen as they take victories at Hegau Gravel<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 3 LIVE \u2013 Rapid start to the day with ultra competitive breakaway battle, and still lots of climbing to come<\/h1>\n<h2>This 195.9km route with 3,950 metres of elevation gain could deliver a GC battle, but also provides a great springboard for an opportunist looking to grab the yellow jersey<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3-live\/\" 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6cxXeQ7oKfsFdaaEXseNtM.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 3 LIVE \u2013 Rapid start to the day with ultra competitive breakaway battle, and still lots of climbing to come<\/h1>\n<h2>This 195.9km route with 3,950 metres of elevation gain could deliver a GC battle, but also provides a great springboard for an opportunist looking to grab the yellow jersey<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nMatilda Price <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n6 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3-live\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>1<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comment<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6cxXeQ7oKfsFdaaEXseNtM.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-489b2370-40c5-4767-8b1d-b211e38cfcae\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-be4c15b9-13a8-4f4e-83d4-a269607c61b6\"><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Route<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-be4c15b9-13a8-4f4e-83d4-a269607c61b6-2\"><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France stage 3 &#8211; Preview<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Watch the 2026 Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e316cd4d-1914-4801-aa01-015589a2aeee\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-8abc64cf-6e81-456b-9340-f379fe82fa53\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-670b3b63-9586-4160-9c24-776dec58f3e2\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W5xQxe\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:49:29.627Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-b14cd0c5-0b49-47c1-a236-173acb606f60\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"new-break-could-this-be-the-one-2\">New break \u2013 could this be the one?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-90f40298-bf73-4575-9900-de7c80466d77\">A new group is up the road: Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep), Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobliity), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies).<\/p>\n<p>They only have a handful of seconds, but look pretty low-risk for the GC teams. Still riders trying to bridge across behind.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:45:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:45:11.362Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-502a3c64-e083-4d06-85ef-d75e82795027\">Bunch is all together as they head through a town. Lots of fans out, which is nice to see \u2013 reminder there shouldn&#8217;t be fans on the road for the final 40km once we return to France.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:36:13+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:36:13.444Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b5a6044-1289-41ba-b32c-35f228e9e449\">Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) is pushing on now.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s probably getting a bit desperate now. A break really needs to get well established before the next big climb if they&#8217;re going to have any chance of surviving to the line.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:30:42+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:30:42.656Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca58a6a4-3757-4c27-9027-c3bf70cc3a02\">It is hot, hot, hot.<\/p>\n<p>Some riders who were dropped earlier, like Lenny Martinez, are getting back onto the bunch now as we head back onto the flat.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a good bit of respite from the climbing now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3be73eda-6aa0-486d-9c3e-e6c0a40ba15c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2i5TeEUSCnkUyuybCkARz6.jpg\" alt=\"TotalEnergies team&amp;#039;s French rider Thibault Guernalec douses himself with water to cool down as he cycles during the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 195,9 km between Granollers in Spain and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:27:51+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:27:51.458Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-8311f3b1-86f7-431f-9c87-684ed1e5d0f0\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"uae-vs-visma-already-2\">UAE vs Visma already?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0\">Del Toro, Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are right on the front of the bunch keeping an eye on things.<\/p>\n<p>The bunch settled for a moment just then on a narrow road but it&#8217;s kicked off again as the road opened up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0-2\">I think part of the issue here and why things are taking so long is because Visma really want Jorgenson to get in the break and go for a stage win, but UAE do not want this to happen. The rivalry between these two teams has defined the Tour for years, and nothing is changing today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:24:02+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:24:02.082Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2980929d-0485-4503-b1b1-214351e3255b\">And the Bernal group has been caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 40km done! This is a long one. Brutal start given the heat, and indeed the climbing to come.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:21:41+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:21:41.072Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70500fd7-e69e-42f1-9af5-d45bc3d56a2e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"still-no-break-2\">Still no break<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-67decd07-e1cd-4bfa-a312-213e134dce5d\">But I think we are getting closer&#8230; A group of eight are out front now, including Bernal who is keen to get away today. Still riders trying to chase behind though so let&#8217;s see if this group gets established.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:20:35+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:20:35.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aad34ba9-c8c4-426c-a390-fb878c351ee6\">Here are some of the riders who have been involved in the battle for the break so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-abaec744-1973-4218-8e83-219b3ce7c177\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Gm4xksqWp898czgdMNmSyX.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:12:44+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:12:44.786Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-7904fbe1-9bea-4aad-a614-01441b422d3e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-riders-stay-cool-in-the-tour-de-france-2\">How do riders stay cool in the Tour de France?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-aa3bdbb1-f62e-46ee-af01-d373feecd231\">It&#8217;s been a very hot start to the race, with teams using all sorts of different methods to stay cool. My colleague Will has run through a few of them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From alcohol sprays to forearm bathing: All the cooling strategies the pros use to beat the heat at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dfb5cff2-23e8-4425-901b-91f0492e9a16\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fq3FNh2SMKktkyT5LBVvU.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: Fred Wright of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling refreshes prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:09:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:09:47.337Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c91ffd9c-ea59-4b08-8838-91501a1f1f26\">Prediction from cjrogers2002 in the comments:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-17237819-00d2-4869-8b73-39906f96b348\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>Juan Ayuso takes a late flyer and it sticks to the line just ahead of Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Del Toro.<\/p><figcaption><cite>cjrogers2002<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0797b02b-105d-44d2-be13-ef13245bae22\">Any advances on that? Drop your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:08:34+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:08:34.604Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7bc1d1c2-82d2-495a-862b-ee77aa256b2a\">More than 25km of this breakaway battle already done. Everything&#8217;s back together and it&#8217;s starting again.<\/p>\n<p>When the battle takes a while like this, it can eventually work against the break \u2013 they have less time to build a good gap, and those in the group end up more tired. Success is more likely when they go early-ish.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:07:04+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:07:04.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c56f187b-d5ef-4063-b036-372b8bd902d7\">Jorgenson is on the front and flicking his elbow asking riders to give him some help. So that would suggest that he is trying to get in the break and work with attackers, rather than just police. Interesting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:05:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:05:53.228Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9c30a085-b4ff-433e-9694-4774fc1ba16c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"van-der-poel-on-the-attack-2\">Van der Poel on the attack<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469\">Well look who it is&#8230; Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is having a go on the front!<\/p>\n<p>He said pre-race that he&#8217;d like to wear yellow again this Tour. He&#8217;s at 1:26 right now, so if he got in a successful move today it could happen.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469-2\">But it remains really tricky to get in a break. The pace is high and so many riders want to be involved \u2013 Egan Bernal is the next to put in a big push.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:02:52+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:02:52.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860\">On a quick descent now before the road kicks up again shortly.<\/p>\n<p>George Bennett (NSN) is attacking off the front on his own, with the bunch stretched out behind him.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860-2\">He&#8217;s a local rider who has lived in Girona and Andorra so may well know these roads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:01:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:01:53.763Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6d483ded-116d-4b95-a09e-e55d8f7980e8\">Back together at the front. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar) is struggling out the back&#8230; not a great start to the Tour for him. He came here to target GC.<\/p>\n<p>Paret-Peintre won max points at the top of the climb.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-e2c83b42-a275-48b4-905a-ed0c56b403c3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"kom-results-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-cat-3-2\">KoM results \u2013 C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (cat. 3)<\/h2>\n<ol start=\"1\" id=\"elk-c5a10bda-ca86-490c-b6b3-9aacb8bd6846\">\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) \u2013 2 pts<\/li>\n<li>Javier Romo (Movistar) \u2013 1 pt<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:57:17+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:57:17.717Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2a91a6e8-4c2d-4d8d-9c66-55ad7dc3e2e7\">Up front, Javier Romo (Movistar) and Paret-Peintre are in the lead but not far in front of the bunch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:56:36+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:56:36.234Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dd31a820-8809-45c4-afd1-2bf9e5d47fb1\">Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon CMA CGM) is also at the medical car, he&#8217;s clearly been down too.<\/p>\n<p>He is a very important domestique for Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:54:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:54:21.382Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4eb724bc-d83a-4633-bc5a-506225d21ebb\">That crash has split and slowed things down in the bunch a bit I think. Those who got through unscathed are just taking the foot off the gas to allow things to come back together.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail is at the medical car.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:53:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:53:33.846Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-430c510b-d249-49af-81ff-c633ad73a5fa\">Everyone looks to be up and riding again, but that was a big hit for a lot of riders.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail was the first so go down and slowest to start again. His shoe looks to be broken.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:52:58+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:52:58.034Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-e49dac97-a5f9-4c55-80ab-b2f50e5ea026\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"crash-in-the-bunch-2\">Crash in the bunch<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-064e6a3d-6956-47ee-8e09-57798fc4d4df\">Oof big old crash in the peloton, happened near the front and lots of riders went down or were held up.<\/p>\n<p>Isaac del Toro was affected, Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike), several Netcompany Ineos riders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:49:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:49:11.384Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0569754d-16ce-4857-b73d-7e752b3cc79c\">Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is puttin in a big dig, with Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) on his wheel. The serious riders are coming out to play now, will be interesting to see what the GC teams think to this&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:46:45+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:46:45.122Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><span>Climb: C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4017bcba-3b95-4703-8618-7ad3662e6b15\">Onto the climb now, bunch is together but the attacks are starting.<\/p>\n<p>Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9) is already struggling out the back. He&#8217;s had a rubbish start to this race, he&#8217;s been ill.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:40:07+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:40:07.124Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-abef0ca7-e3b6-4dfd-80e0-76023af6195c\">That&#8217;s pretty much closed down now. So we start again. The first climb starts in about 5km, and it&#8217;s 7km long.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:39:14+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:39:14.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2eea189d-8352-4c0f-a572-c1d748790c94\">Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna (Movistar) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) have just joined the leaders, with a load more riders chasing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:38:20+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:38:20.922Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-4f5f0cd8-5683-45f7-a701-7030dbd33a11\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"five-off-the-front-2\">Five off the front<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-c4545f10-2b88-4c26-b534-59a55194e3a3\">A group of five have just chipped off the front and they have about 10 seconds, but we&#8217;re nowhere near done \u2013 the breakaway battle has only just begun, I&#8217;d say.<\/p>\n<p>But for reference, they are:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-425be655-5a77-4067-b733-ee7526b7dd3d\">\n<li>Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep)<\/li>\n<li>Tr\u00e6en (Uno-X Mobility)<\/li>\n<li>Slock (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9)<\/li>\n<li>Guernalec (TotalEnergies)<\/li>\n<li>Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:35:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:35:00.855Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-377ca5aa-7c61-487f-855b-b6482452f965\">Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) is in the mix near the front. Probably policing things for his team, keeping an eye on who is doing what, more than trying to get involved himself.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s mainly strong breakaway specialists and smaller team riders who are having a go right now, but it&#8217;s not quite full gas yet.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:33:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:33:19.738Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-920c8f8d-a2cb-4ff7-ba43-4ce9261a1b57\">The first climb starts in just a few kilometres, so actually instead of attacks from the gun we&#8217;re seeing a relatively calm peloton right now. Riders are amassing at the front, but not launching just yet, as they will be a big fight on the climb \u2013 they&#8217;re saving their energy for that.<\/p>\n<p>As I say that, Louis Vervaeke launches a little move off the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:31:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:31:10.902Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-cc148296-9c18-4539-80e1-f9303afe7798\">Off we go! 195.9km on the menu today, with three cat. 3 climbs and one cat. 1.<\/p>\n<p>Full stage preview: <strong>Tour de France 2026 stage 3 preview &#8211; Where there&#8217;s smoke, there could be fire<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5d86da7-644b-4f55-adef-182e8b14c8f8\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:25:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:25:19.687Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5dd7450e-657b-450f-a2c2-b3eef43b2cfc\">Talking of their rivalry, though, we&#8217;ve done a few Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard head to heads recently, comparing their bikes and their physiology.<\/p>\n<p>Have a read here:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3e02abab-09d9-4482-813a-8d4a52beffa5\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB.png\" alt=\"Tadej Poga&amp;amp;#269;ar and Jonas Vingegaard with data visuals in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:22:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:22:33.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08ba44f2-d3db-4ec2-a1e1-e7d67c69e30c\">Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are having a bit of a chat and a laugh in the roll out. Big rivals but these two really do get along and like each other.<\/p>\n<p>Other riders on the front and possibly priming for a go in the break include Mads Pedersen, Quentin Pacher and Lewis Askey.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:20:31+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:20:31.637Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ecff17cc-f86a-4a00-b7ee-3e0cc97d4d79\">Fortunately yesterday some other teams were on hand to help Del Toro out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sportsmanship on show at Tour de France as Isaac del Toro gets mechanical assistance from rival teams after his own team cars drive straight past him<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2073854550390272062\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Remontada hist\u00f2rica d&#8217;Isaac del Toro #tdf2026 pic.twitter.com\/GdOy9fhBcLJuly 5, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:19:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:19:21.223Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ae88238-334c-423c-978a-f55b6d86a433\">Isaac del Toro is back at the car getting some assistance with his radio. (After yesterday&#8217;s mishap where his team car drove straight past him, they&#8217;ll want to be sure communication is all working today!)<\/p>\n<p>5km left of the neutral, but they won&#8217;t actually drop the flag until everyone is back in the bunch, so no rush for Del Toro.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:16:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:16:47.587Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-887856b9-bc5d-477f-aee9-3c21c471e60b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:11:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:11:10.723Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7f27b2a6-d354-4e03-970e-161c2e354205\">They&#8217;re off! About 10 minutes of neutralised racing before the flag drops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:08:08+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:08:08.227Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8afb5a20-61b3-4e0c-a649-c548bb745b09\">The riders are assembling for the start now. Neutral roll out coming shortly \u2013 the flag should drop about 10 minutes later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:06:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:06:26.928Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60599178-cf49-4101-8196-764b1b80e7a5\">First glimpse this morning of Vingegaard in yellow again this morning, and his mask.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-51bd5827-2cf8-4d31-aefb-49237d66e1dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ipfromjtfjryStR6xpfQqG.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey and a protective face mask awaits the start of the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 196 km between Granollers and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:00:54+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:00:54.993Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393\">There doesn&#8217;t seem to be much consensus on what kind of a stage today might be.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently Visma are happy to let the yellow jersey go if the opportunity arises, but only to the right rider \u2013 i.e. not Tadej Poga\u010dar or another GC rival. It certainly seems like a day that would be good for the breakaway, and could come with big rewards, so I&#8217;d predict a pretty big fight to get in that move. But equally, if a rider like Poga\u010dar or Del Toro get the chance to make some GC fireworks, they won&#8217;t give that opportunity up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393-2\">What do you think? Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:55:24+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:55:24.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11bdbaec-669c-4bb1-b8c7-d84e78a88fc5\">Vingegaard is wearing a face mask to sign on and the mixed zone again. He&#8217;s clearly not taking any chances when it comes to getting sick at this race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:52:50+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:52:50.805Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-5e1abff9-cf70-4c44-9770-21b0bdcf277c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"overall-standings-and-jerseys-2\">Overall standings and jerseys<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1\">Quick reminder of who is wearing what today:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udfe1 Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1-2\">\ud83d\udfe2 Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd34 Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/p>\n<p>\u26aa Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) *<em>Del Toro leads the classification<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Full standings: <\/strong><strong>Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on Jonas Vingegaard with time bonus on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:44:40+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:44:40.040Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-2c336651-a439-465b-8688-2b890654c899\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hot-day-ahead-2\">Hot day ahead<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-1b54e8f1-7b63-4c46-931e-7cd73c28c24d\">Lots of cooling going on at the start. It&#8217;s 33\u00baC in Granollers already.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3a73750b-ed96-4572-8882-d42a5fe1cb9c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4pgWEMZFSr3DX2kp6ruZFE.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: A Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider wearing and ice vest prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:39:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:39:00.934Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-775a9f29-3c46-43bf-b758-1e9fcfa83638\">About 30 minutes to go until the neutral roll out. The teams are currently signing on in Granollers, which you can<strong> <\/strong><strong>watch live on the Tour&#8217;s Twitter feed<\/strong>, if you want.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:34:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:34:26.875Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e\">Apart from the tricky parcours, the reason there&#8217;s a bit of tension hanging over today is because wildfires are currently raging in southern France, which yesterday were threatening to cancel today&#8217;s stage.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, ASO and the local authorities have decided to go ahead, but with strict instructions to fans to <em><strong>not <\/strong><\/em>come and watch the final 40km of the stage. There will be now publicity caravan, in order to further deter spectators, and there may be fines handed out for anyone who disobeys the stay-away instruction.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e-2\">More on this: <strong>Tour de France stage 3 to go ahead but spectators asked not to attend finish due to forest fires in &#8216;exceptional decision&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2074063256516276680\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udeab Stage 3 of the #TDF2026: No spectators along the route for the final 40 kilometers or at the finish line.Due to the wildfire currently affecting the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Orientales and to allow for the maximum mobilization of emergency resources, the 3rd stage of the Tour de France will\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WtVilXsgIKJuly 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:27:15+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:27:15.987Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-996271c7-a99d-4e98-a7c9-40d084cdac0c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gc-analysis-2\">GC analysis<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404\">We are only two days into this Tour de France, but after the opening TTT and yesterday&#8217;s Montju\u00efc fireworks, the GC race is well and truly on, earlier than ever.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard is in yellow for the first time in three years, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG took the spoils yesterday in an ominous performance. Indeed, Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s &#8216;gift&#8217; to Isaac del Toro may be a very important part of the race to come \u2013 because he probably just sealed the Mexican&#8217;s loyalty and highest commitment for the rest of the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404-2\">My colleague James, who is on the ground at the race, wrote more about this:<\/p>\n<p><strong>The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:15:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:15:53.328Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60ffdf84-fb66-4ed1-8d64-07ccaaf34364\">If you were out enjoying your weekend yesterday, here&#8217;s what you missed on stage 2. It was an absolutely cracker, especially the finale, so I&#8217;d totally recommend seeking out the highlights, too, but here&#8217;s the rundown and results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tour de France: Isaac del Toro, Tadej Poga\u010dar power to UAE Team Emirates 1-2 on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e77aa120-5ab7-4d4e-938a-2a2944a49baa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Toe9RzeMqjgbDqtagCHTWC.jpg\" alt=\"BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 05: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia - Polka dot Mountain Jersey and stage winner Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at finish line during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 2 a 168.5km stage from Tarragona to Barcelona 109m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 05, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:11:37+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:11:37.251Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9171d873-b14d-4632-9e2e-8605e067a2ee\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"today-s-parcours-2\">Today&#8217;s parcours<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8c8fc8eb-5085-4537-b793-6140722f1ea0\">Here is what&#8217;s on the cards today from Granollers in Spain to Les Angles in France. The peloton cross the border at just over 150km into the stage, so we&#8217;re mainly still in Spain after the weekend&#8217;s Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8eb2e9c7-b915-47d8-bed3-683d65ec5383\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul id=\"elk-b5361d06-b98a-46f6-a6fe-3a949a48c781\">\n<li><strong>Length: <\/strong>195.9km<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elevation gain: <\/strong>3,940m<\/li>\n<li><strong>Intermediate sprint: <\/strong>Campdev\u00e0nol, km 98.4<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climbs:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 17.2<\/li>\n<li>Col de Toses (9.3km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 1, km 127.7<\/li>\n<li>Col du Calvaire (11.4km at 4.1%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 172.3<\/li>\n<li>Les Angles (1.7km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 195.9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3\">Good morning and welcome to <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<p>Matilda here, and I&#8217;ll be guiding you through the stage all day. It could be an interesting one, as the race heads back into France via plenty of climbing.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3-2\">Any questions or comments? Drop them in the comments section below and I&#8217;ll get back to you there, or answer anything interesting here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:49:29+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:49:29.627Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-b14cd0c5-0b49-47c1-a236-173acb606f60\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"new-break-could-this-be-the-one-2\">New break \u2013 could this be the one?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-90f40298-bf73-4575-9900-de7c80466d77\">A new group is up the road: Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep), Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobliity), Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) and Matteo Vercher (TotalEnergies).<\/p>\n<p>They only have a handful of seconds, but look pretty low-risk for the GC teams. Still riders trying to bridge across behind.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:45:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:45:11.362Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-140km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-140km-to-go\"><span>140km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-502a3c64-e083-4d06-85ef-d75e82795027\">Bunch is all together as they head through a town. Lots of fans out, which is nice to see \u2013 reminder there shouldn&#8217;t be fans on the road for the final 40km once we return to France.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:36:13+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:36:13.444Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b5a6044-1289-41ba-b32c-35f228e9e449\">Quinn Simmons (Lidl-Trek) is pushing on now.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s probably getting a bit desperate now. A break really needs to get well established before the next big climb if they&#8217;re going to have any chance of surviving to the line.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:30:42+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:30:42.656Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca58a6a4-3757-4c27-9027-c3bf70cc3a02\">It is hot, hot, hot.<\/p>\n<p>Some riders who were dropped earlier, like Lenny Martinez, are getting back onto the bunch now as we head back onto the flat.<\/p>\n<p>There&#8217;s a good bit of respite from the climbing now.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3be73eda-6aa0-486d-9c3e-e6c0a40ba15c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2i5TeEUSCnkUyuybCkARz6.jpg\" alt=\"TotalEnergies team&amp;#039;s French rider Thibault Guernalec douses himself with water to cool down as he cycles during the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 195,9 km between Granollers in Spain and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:27:51+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:27:51.458Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-8311f3b1-86f7-431f-9c87-684ed1e5d0f0\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"uae-vs-visma-already-2\">UAE vs Visma already?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0\">Del Toro, Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are right on the front of the bunch keeping an eye on things.<\/p>\n<p>The bunch settled for a moment just then on a narrow road but it&#8217;s kicked off again as the road opened up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e7b03cfe-2da2-4103-be80-ca6105b128f0-2\">I think part of the issue here and why things are taking so long is because Visma really want Jorgenson to get in the break and go for a stage win, but UAE do not want this to happen. The rivalry between these two teams has defined the Tour for years, and nothing is changing today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:24:02+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:24:02.082Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2980929d-0485-4503-b1b1-214351e3255b\">And the Bernal group has been caught by the peloton.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly 40km done! This is a long one. Brutal start given the heat, and indeed the climbing to come.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:21:41+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:21:41.072Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-70500fd7-e69e-42f1-9af5-d45bc3d56a2e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"still-no-break-2\">Still no break<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-67decd07-e1cd-4bfa-a312-213e134dce5d\">But I think we are getting closer&#8230; A group of eight are out front now, including Bernal who is keen to get away today. Still riders trying to chase behind though so let&#8217;s see if this group gets established.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:20:35+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:20:35.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aad34ba9-c8c4-426c-a390-fb878c351ee6\">Here are some of the riders who have been involved in the battle for the break so far.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-abaec744-1973-4218-8e83-219b3ce7c177\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Gm4xksqWp898czgdMNmSyX.jpg\" alt=\"American Quinn Simmons of Lidl-Trek pictured in action during stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 195,9km from Granollers, Spain, to Les Angles, France, Monday 06 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL LUCA BETTINI (Photo by POOL LUCA BETTINI \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:12:44+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:12:44.786Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-7904fbe1-9bea-4aad-a614-01441b422d3e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-riders-stay-cool-in-the-tour-de-france-2\">How do riders stay cool in the Tour de France?<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-aa3bdbb1-f62e-46ee-af01-d373feecd231\">It&#8217;s been a very hot start to the race, with teams using all sorts of different methods to stay cool. My colleague Will has run through a few of them.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From alcohol sprays to forearm bathing: All the cooling strategies the pros use to beat the heat at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-dfb5cff2-23e8-4425-901b-91f0492e9a16\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7fq3FNh2SMKktkyT5LBVvU.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: Fred Wright of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling refreshes prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:09:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:09:47.337Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c91ffd9c-ea59-4b08-8838-91501a1f1f26\">Prediction from cjrogers2002 in the comments:<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-17237819-00d2-4869-8b73-39906f96b348\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>Juan Ayuso takes a late flyer and it sticks to the line just ahead of Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Del Toro.<\/p><figcaption><cite>cjrogers2002<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0797b02b-105d-44d2-be13-ef13245bae22\">Any advances on that? Drop your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:08:34+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:08:34.604Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-170km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-170km-to-go\"><span>170km to go<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7bc1d1c2-82d2-495a-862b-ee77aa256b2a\">More than 25km of this breakaway battle already done. Everything&#8217;s back together and it&#8217;s starting again.<\/p>\n<p>When the battle takes a while like this, it can eventually work against the break \u2013 they have less time to build a good gap, and those in the group end up more tired. Success is more likely when they go early-ish.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:07:04+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:07:04.513Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c56f187b-d5ef-4063-b036-372b8bd902d7\">Jorgenson is on the front and flicking his elbow asking riders to give him some help. So that would suggest that he is trying to get in the break and work with attackers, rather than just police. Interesting!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:05:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:05:53.228Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9c30a085-b4ff-433e-9694-4774fc1ba16c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"van-der-poel-on-the-attack-2\">Van der Poel on the attack<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469\">Well look who it is&#8230; Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech) is having a go on the front!<\/p>\n<p>He said pre-race that he&#8217;d like to wear yellow again this Tour. He&#8217;s at 1:26 right now, so if he got in a successful move today it could happen.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-abc6d64d-2f62-4bd7-85cd-2e08d9a2a469-2\">But it remains really tricky to get in a break. The pace is high and so many riders want to be involved \u2013 Egan Bernal is the next to put in a big push.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:02:52+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:02:52.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860\">On a quick descent now before the road kicks up again shortly.<\/p>\n<p>George Bennett (NSN) is attacking off the front on his own, with the bunch stretched out behind him.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-8ca448ee-fe1c-46bd-b11d-e135f8657860-2\">He&#8217;s a local rider who has lived in Girona and Andorra so may well know these roads.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T11:01:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T11:01:53.763Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6d483ded-116d-4b95-a09e-e55d8f7980e8\">Back together at the front. Cian Uijtdebroeks (Movistar) is struggling out the back&#8230; not a great start to the Tour for him. He came here to target GC.<\/p>\n<p>Paret-Peintre won max points at the top of the climb.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-e2c83b42-a275-48b4-905a-ed0c56b403c3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"kom-results-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-cat-3-2\">KoM results \u2013 C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (cat. 3)<\/h2>\n<ol start=\"1\" id=\"elk-c5a10bda-ca86-490c-b6b3-9aacb8bd6846\">\n<li>Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) \u2013 2 pts<\/li>\n<li>Javier Romo (Movistar) \u2013 1 pt<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:57:17+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:57:17.717Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2a91a6e8-4c2d-4d8d-9c66-55ad7dc3e2e7\">Up front, Javier Romo (Movistar) and Paret-Peintre are in the lead but not far in front of the bunch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:56:36+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:56:36.234Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dd31a820-8809-45c4-afd1-2bf9e5d47fb1\">Matthew Riccitello (Decathlon CMA CGM) is also at the medical car, he&#8217;s clearly been down too.<\/p>\n<p>He is a very important domestique for Paul Seixas.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:54:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:54:21.382Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4eb724bc-d83a-4633-bc5a-506225d21ebb\">That crash has split and slowed things down in the bunch a bit I think. Those who got through unscathed are just taking the foot off the gas to allow things to come back together.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail is at the medical car.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:53:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:53:33.846Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-430c510b-d249-49af-81ff-c633ad73a5fa\">Everyone looks to be up and riding again, but that was a big hit for a lot of riders.<\/p>\n<p>Armirail was the first so go down and slowest to start again. His shoe looks to be broken.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:52:58+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:52:58.034Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-e49dac97-a5f9-4c55-80ab-b2f50e5ea026\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"crash-in-the-bunch-2\">Crash in the bunch<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-064e6a3d-6956-47ee-8e09-57798fc4d4df\">Oof big old crash in the peloton, happened near the front and lots of riders went down or were held up.<\/p>\n<p>Isaac del Toro was affected, Bruno Armirail (Visma-Lease a Bike), several Netcompany Ineos riders.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:49:11+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:49:11.384Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-0569754d-16ce-4857-b73d-7e752b3cc79c\">Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) is puttin in a big dig, with Valentin Paret-Peintre (Soudal-QuickStep) on his wheel. The serious riders are coming out to play now, will be interesting to see what the GC teams think to this&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:46:45+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:46:45.122Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-climb-cote-de-saint-feliu-de-codines-8-2km-at-4-5-cat-3\"><span>Climb: C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-4017bcba-3b95-4703-8618-7ad3662e6b15\">Onto the climb now, bunch is together but the attacks are starting.<\/p>\n<p>Arnaud De Lie (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9) is already struggling out the back. He&#8217;s had a rubbish start to this race, he&#8217;s been ill.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:40:07+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:40:07.124Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-abef0ca7-e3b6-4dfd-80e0-76023af6195c\">That&#8217;s pretty much closed down now. So we start again. The first climb starts in about 5km, and it&#8217;s 7km long.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:39:14+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:39:14.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2eea189d-8352-4c0f-a572-c1d748790c94\">Ra\u00fal Garc\u00eda Pierna (Movistar) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) have just joined the leaders, with a load more riders chasing behind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:38:20+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:38:20.922Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-4f5f0cd8-5683-45f7-a701-7030dbd33a11\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"five-off-the-front-2\">Five off the front<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-c4545f10-2b88-4c26-b534-59a55194e3a3\">A group of five have just chipped off the front and they have about 10 seconds, but we&#8217;re nowhere near done \u2013 the breakaway battle has only just begun, I&#8217;d say.<\/p>\n<p>But for reference, they are:<\/p>\n<ul id=\"elk-425be655-5a77-4067-b733-ee7526b7dd3d\">\n<li>Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep)<\/li>\n<li>Tr\u00e6en (Uno-X Mobility)<\/li>\n<li>Slock (Lotto Intermarch\u00e9)<\/li>\n<li>Guernalec (TotalEnergies)<\/li>\n<li>Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:35:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:35:00.855Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-377ca5aa-7c61-487f-855b-b6482452f965\">Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) is in the mix near the front. Probably policing things for his team, keeping an eye on who is doing what, more than trying to get involved himself.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s mainly strong breakaway specialists and smaller team riders who are having a go right now, but it&#8217;s not quite full gas yet.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:33:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:33:19.738Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-920c8f8d-a2cb-4ff7-ba43-4ce9261a1b57\">The first climb starts in just a few kilometres, so actually instead of attacks from the gun we&#8217;re seeing a relatively calm peloton right now. Riders are amassing at the front, but not launching just yet, as they will be a big fight on the climb \u2013 they&#8217;re saving their energy for that.<\/p>\n<p>As I say that, Louis Vervaeke launches a little move off the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:31:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:31:10.902Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>Official start <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-cc148296-9c18-4539-80e1-f9303afe7798\">Off we go! 195.9km on the menu today, with three cat. 3 climbs and one cat. 1.<\/p>\n<p>Full stage preview: <strong>Tour de France 2026 stage 3 preview &#8211; Where there&#8217;s smoke, there could be fire<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-b5d86da7-644b-4f55-adef-182e8b14c8f8\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:25:19+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:25:19.687Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5dd7450e-657b-450f-a2c2-b3eef43b2cfc\">Talking of their rivalry, though, we&#8217;ve done a few Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard head to heads recently, comparing their bikes and their physiology.<\/p>\n<p>Have a read here:<\/p>\n<p><strong>Poga\u010dar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head \u2013 Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3e02abab-09d9-4482-813a-8d4a52beffa5\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TWuPDsYPhdPzYHSAytcpvB.png\" alt=\"Tadej Poga&amp;amp;#269;ar and Jonas Vingegaard with data visuals in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images\/Illustration by Michael Rawley)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:22:33+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:22:33.972Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-08ba44f2-d3db-4ec2-a1e1-e7d67c69e30c\">Poga\u010dar and Vingegaard are having a bit of a chat and a laugh in the roll out. Big rivals but these two really do get along and like each other.<\/p>\n<p>Other riders on the front and possibly priming for a go in the break include Mads Pedersen, Quentin Pacher and Lewis Askey.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:20:31+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:20:31.637Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ecff17cc-f86a-4a00-b7ee-3e0cc97d4d79\">Fortunately yesterday some other teams were on hand to help Del Toro out.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sportsmanship on show at Tour de France as Isaac del Toro gets mechanical assistance from rival teams after his own team cars drive straight past him<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2073854550390272062\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Remontada hist\u00f2rica d&#8217;Isaac del Toro #tdf2026 pic.twitter.com\/GdOy9fhBcLJuly 5, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:19:21+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:19:21.223Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6ae88238-334c-423c-978a-f55b6d86a433\">Isaac del Toro is back at the car getting some assistance with his radio. (After yesterday&#8217;s mishap where his team car drove straight past him, they&#8217;ll want to be sure communication is all working today!)<\/p>\n<p>5km left of the neutral, but they won&#8217;t actually drop the flag until everyone is back in the bunch, so no rush for Del Toro.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:16:47+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:16:47.587Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-887856b9-bc5d-477f-aee9-3c21c471e60b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:11:10+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:11:10.723Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-neutral-roll-out\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-neutral-roll-out\"><span>Neutral roll out<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-7f27b2a6-d354-4e03-970e-161c2e354205\">They&#8217;re off! About 10 minutes of neutralised racing before the flag drops.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:08:08+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:08:08.227Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8afb5a20-61b3-4e0c-a649-c548bb745b09\">The riders are assembling for the start now. Neutral roll out coming shortly \u2013 the flag should drop about 10 minutes later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:06:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:06:26.928Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60599178-cf49-4101-8196-764b1b80e7a5\">First glimpse this morning of Vingegaard in yellow again this morning, and his mask.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-51bd5827-2cf8-4d31-aefb-49237d66e1dd\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ipfromjtfjryStR6xpfQqG.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey and a protective face mask awaits the start of the 3rd stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 196 km between Granollers and Les Angles in southern France, on July 6, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T10:00:54+00:00\">2026-07-06T10:00:54.993Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393\">There doesn&#8217;t seem to be much consensus on what kind of a stage today might be.<\/p>\n<p>Apparently Visma are happy to let the yellow jersey go if the opportunity arises, but only to the right rider \u2013 i.e. not Tadej Poga\u010dar or another GC rival. It certainly seems like a day that would be good for the breakaway, and could come with big rewards, so I&#8217;d predict a pretty big fight to get in that move. But equally, if a rider like Poga\u010dar or Del Toro get the chance to make some GC fireworks, they won&#8217;t give that opportunity up.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-e2a766da-d424-4f3e-9954-424dddf15393-2\">What do you think? Don&#8217;t forget to vote in the poll above.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:55:24+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:55:24.056Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-11bdbaec-669c-4bb1-b8c7-d84e78a88fc5\">Vingegaard is wearing a face mask to sign on and the mixed zone again. He&#8217;s clearly not taking any chances when it comes to getting sick at this race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:52:50+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:52:50.805Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-5e1abff9-cf70-4c44-9770-21b0bdcf277c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"overall-standings-and-jerseys-2\">Overall standings and jerseys<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1\">Quick reminder of who is wearing what today:<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udfe1 Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-b920e690-3c3f-461b-bf10-8855fdf096e1-2\">\ud83d\udfe2 Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udd34 Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)<\/p>\n<p>\u26aa Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) *<em>Del Toro leads the classification<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Full standings: <\/strong><strong>Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar closes in on Jonas Vingegaard with time bonus on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:44:40+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:44:40.040Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-2c336651-a439-465b-8688-2b890654c899\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"hot-day-ahead-2\">Hot day ahead<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-1b54e8f1-7b63-4c46-931e-7cd73c28c24d\">Lots of cooling going on at the start. It&#8217;s 33\u00baC in Granollers already.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-3a73750b-ed96-4572-8882-d42a5fe1cb9c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4pgWEMZFSr3DX2kp6ruZFE.jpg\" alt=\"GRANOLLERS, SPAIN - JULY 06: A Decathlon CMA CGM Team rider wearing and ice vest prior to 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 3 a 195.9km stage from Granollers to Les Angles 1801m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 06, 2026 in Granollers, Spain. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:39:00+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:39:00.934Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-775a9f29-3c46-43bf-b758-1e9fcfa83638\">About 30 minutes to go until the neutral roll out. The teams are currently signing on in Granollers, which you can<strong> <\/strong><strong>watch live on the Tour&#8217;s Twitter feed<\/strong>, if you want.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:34:26+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:34:26.875Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e\">Apart from the tricky parcours, the reason there&#8217;s a bit of tension hanging over today is because wildfires are currently raging in southern France, which yesterday were threatening to cancel today&#8217;s stage.<\/p>\n<p>In the end, ASO and the local authorities have decided to go ahead, but with strict instructions to fans to <em><strong>not <\/strong><\/em>come and watch the final 40km of the stage. There will be now publicity caravan, in order to further deter spectators, and there may be fines handed out for anyone who disobeys the stay-away instruction.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6aef97d0-dd15-45a3-8236-513eccb2483e-2\">More on this: <strong>Tour de France stage 3 to go ahead but spectators asked not to attend finish due to forest fires in &#8216;exceptional decision&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2074063256516276680\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udeab Stage 3 of the #TDF2026: No spectators along the route for the final 40 kilometers or at the finish line.Due to the wildfire currently affecting the Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es-Orientales and to allow for the maximum mobilization of emergency resources, the 3rd stage of the Tour de France will\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/WtVilXsgIKJuly 6, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:27:15+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:27:15.987Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-996271c7-a99d-4e98-a7c9-40d084cdac0c\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gc-analysis-2\">GC analysis<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404\">We are only two days into this Tour de France, but after the opening TTT and yesterday&#8217;s Montju\u00efc fireworks, the GC race is well and truly on, earlier than ever.<\/p>\n<p>Jonas Vingegaard is in yellow for the first time in three years, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG took the spoils yesterday in an ominous performance. Indeed, Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s &#8216;gift&#8217; to Isaac del Toro may be a very important part of the race to come \u2013 because he probably just sealed the Mexican&#8217;s loyalty and highest commitment for the rest of the race.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-55525404-4f0a-4348-b668-2a9b80153404-2\">My colleague James, who is on the ground at the race, wrote more about this:<\/p>\n<p><strong>The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:15:53+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:15:53.328Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-60ffdf84-fb66-4ed1-8d64-07ccaaf34364\">If you were out enjoying your weekend yesterday, here&#8217;s what you missed on stage 2. It was an absolutely cracker, especially the finale, so I&#8217;d totally recommend seeking out the highlights, too, but here&#8217;s the rundown and results.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tour de France: Isaac del Toro, Tadej Poga\u010dar power to UAE Team Emirates 1-2 on stage 2<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-e77aa120-5ab7-4d4e-938a-2a2944a49baa\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Toe9RzeMqjgbDqtagCHTWC.jpg\" alt=\"BARCELONA, SPAIN - JULY 05: (L-R) Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia - Polka dot Mountain Jersey and stage winner Isaac Del Toro of Mexico and UAE Team Emirates - XRG celebrate at finish line during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 2 a 168.5km stage from Tarragona to Barcelona 109m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 05, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-06T09:11:37+00:00\">2026-07-06T09:11:37.251Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-9171d873-b14d-4632-9e2e-8605e067a2ee\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"today-s-parcours-2\">Today&#8217;s parcours<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-8c8fc8eb-5085-4537-b793-6140722f1ea0\">Here is what&#8217;s on the cards today from Granollers in Spain to Les Angles in France. The peloton cross the border at just over 150km into the stage, so we&#8217;re mainly still in Spain after the weekend&#8217;s Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-8eb2e9c7-b915-47d8-bed3-683d65ec5383\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sp987aapXRd6X984ZpLk95.jpg\" alt=\"Route information for the 2026 Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul id=\"elk-b5361d06-b98a-46f6-a6fe-3a949a48c781\">\n<li><strong>Length: <\/strong>195.9km<\/li>\n<li><strong>Elevation gain: <\/strong>3,940m<\/li>\n<li><strong>Intermediate sprint: <\/strong>Campdev\u00e0nol, km 98.4<\/li>\n<li><strong>Climbs:<\/strong>\n<ul>\n<li>C\u00f4te de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 17.2<\/li>\n<li>Col de Toses (9.3km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 1, km 127.7<\/li>\n<li>Col du Calvaire (11.4km at 4.1%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 172.3<\/li>\n<li>Les Angles (1.7km at 6.5%) \u2013 cat. 3, km 195.9<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3\">Good morning and welcome to <em>Cyclingnews&#8217; <\/em>live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<p>Matilda here, and I&#8217;ll be guiding you through the stage all day. It could be an interesting one, as the race heads back into France via plenty of climbing.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-4cba47e6-5ea9-4595-a317-9799fe0626f3-2\">Any questions or comments? Drop them in the comments section below and I&#8217;ll get back to you there, or answer anything interesting here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-2026-stage-3-live\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6cxXeQ7oKfsFdaaEXseNtM-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: UAE Team Emirates-XRG show their muscle on Montju\u00efc circuit on Tour de France stage 2 2 How it unfolded: Huge fight among the big GC teams for victory at Barcelona team time trial Grand D\u00e9part 3 Tour de France 2026 stage 1 preview \u2013 Poga\u010dar, Vingegaard and Evenepoel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2029008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2029008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2029008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2029008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2029008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2029008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}