Cycling: Merlier wins third tour stage – Star Philipsen out

The Belgian European champion Tim Merlier won the third stage overshadowed by a severe fall of the sprint star Jasper Philipsen at the 112nd Tour de France. After mostly flat, the 32-year-old won the day victory in front of the Italian Jonathan Milan and the German professional Phil Bauhaus in the mass sprint in the mass sprint. The Palatinate Pascal Ackermann became ninth.

Top sprinter Philipsen fell violently about 60 kilometers before the finish and had to give up the race. The Belgian, who won the opening stage on Saturday and worn the yellow jersey for a day, fell after a ripple shortly before the intermediate sprint. Philipsen fell on the right shoulder, his entire jersey was torn. Afterwards Philipsen was treated by the tour doctor for minutes on the roadside. However, the ten-time tour stage winner did not go any further.

Philipsen then came directly to the hospital. Philip Roodhooft, team leader of the Alpecin racing team, was visibly affected. “Of course this ensures emotions. Today’s result is also irrelevant,” he said, and has not yet been able to give any details about the extent of the injuries. “Jasper is down,” he said in English.

Tricky final on the fourth day of the tour

There were no changes at the top of the overall ranking. The Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, team colleague of Jasper Philipsen, continues to stand in front of defending champion Tadej Pogacar and the Danes Jonas Vingegaard.

A demanding final is waiting on Tuesday on Tuesday. On the last 50 kilometers from Amiens to Rouen, two climbs of the third and fourth category are waiting. The world’s best -known tour ends on July 27th in Paris.