Preview of Tour de France 2025 Stage 3: Cycle through the picturesque landscapes of France
The third stage of the 2022 Tour de France is set to take place on Isbergues, with a distance of 118.2km. This stage, known for its flat profile, offers an exciting opportunity for sprinters to shine, but it also presents a potential battleground for the General Classification (GC) contenders.
GC favorites for Stage 3 typically include top contenders close in the GC standings. In the 2025 Tour, for example, Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar, and Jonas Vingegaard are the primary GC favorites, all within 10 seconds of each other. While specific names for the 2022 GC favorites on Stage 3 were not detailed in the search results, the pattern holds that the top overall contenders present in that year's race would be the main GC favorites to monitor.
The stage features one short, mild categorized climb, Mont Cassel, with a distance of 2.3km and a gradient of 3.8%. Though its shallow gradients are unlikely to cause significant difficulty, this ascent could provide an opportunity for a GC contender to launch an attack or cause a split in the peloton. Additionally, potential crosswinds near the finish could also impact the dynamics of the stage, making it a stage to watch closely.
In the UK, the third stage of the Tour de France can be watched on ITV4 / ITVX (FREE), starting at 14:30 BST. For those in the US, NBC / Peacock will broadcast the stage at 06:30 ET. Canada's Flobikes will air the stage at 07:00 ET, and Australia's SBS / SBS On Demand (FREE) will show the stage at 21:15 AEST. For those looking to watch from anywhere, NordVPN is recommended as the best VPN for unblocking streams while abroad.
With the stage likely to result in a bunch sprint, the competition is sure to be fierce. Jonathan Milan and Tim Merlier, who missed the split on the opening stage, have a chance for redemption in the stage 3 sprint. However, GC favorites like Pogačar and Vingegaard remain vigilant for tactical moves and will be looking to assert their dominance in the race.
Mathieu van der Poel, the current race leader, needs to be cautious of potential attacks from Pogačar and Vingegaard, who are close in the GC standings. The third stage of the Tour de France promises to be an exciting and suspenseful event, with the GC contenders vying for position and the sprinters battling it out for the stage win.
Sports enthusiasts can tune in as road cycling's third stage of the 2022 Tour de France unfolds, showcasing a clash between sprinters and General Classification (GC) contenders. GC favorites, such as Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, will be looking to make their mark on this stage, making it a thrilling spectacle to watch.
