Tim Merlier takes sprint victory after Jasper Philipsen abandons as crashes mar stage 3 of Tour de France - Merlier pounced after misfortune befell his former teammate and fellow Belgian on the road t

Belgian rider Tim Merlier won the crash-marred third stage of the Tour de France in a photo finish and Mathieu Van der Poel kept the yellow jersey on Monday. Defending champion Tadej Pogačar and two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard — the main contenders — finished safely as they rolled in together with the main pack.

Green-jersey wearer Jasper Philipsen was forced to abandon the third stage of the Tour de France after a spectacular crash left him needing medical help on the side of the road.