Belgium’s Tim Merlier edged Italy’s Jonathan Milan in a photo-finish to claim the third stage of the Tour de France, a flat 230-kilometre run from Valenciennes to Dunkerque that was repeatedly interrupted by crashes and cross-winds. The day’s defining incident came 60 kilometres from the line when green-jersey holder Jasper Philipsen clipped Frenchman Bryan Coquard during the intermediate sprint at Isbergues. The Belgian, who won the opening stage, hit the tarmac at about 60 km/h and withdrew with a displaced fracture of the right collarbone and at least one broken rib. Alpecin-Deceuninck said the 27-year-old will undergo surgery in Herentals. Race commissioners judged Coquard’s move ‘irregular’, docking him 13 points in the points classification, fining him 500 Swiss francs (about €535) and issuing the Tour’s first disciplinary yellow card, which leaves him under threat of exclusion for any further offence. Additional pile-ups inside the final three kilometres caught Remco Evenepoel and others, but did not alter overall times. Mathieu van der Poel finished safely in the main group to retain the yellow jersey, with Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard still second and third overall. Philipsen’s exit leaves the sprint competition wide open heading into Tuesday’s stage to Rouen. Away from the racing, long-time backer AG2R La Mondiale confirmed it will withdraw after the 2025 season. Retailer Decathlon will take full ownership of the French WorldTour squad from 2026 and is seeking a co-title sponsor to lift the budget to about €40 million, with the stated goal of contending for overall Tour victory by 2030.