Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal) pushed late to win the sprint finish on Monday’s third stage of the Tour de France.
The sprint was into a strong headwind and Ewan took a risk by staying on the wheels until the final 100 metres. However, as others faded, the Australian kept his cool and then made his late surge to victory.
Giacomo Nizzolo (NTT Pro Cycling) was the best of the rest behind Ewan and Sam Bennett, with Hugo Hofstetter (Israel Start-Up Nation) fourth and Peter Sagan fifth. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep) finished in the peloton and so kept the leader’s yellow jersey before Tuesday’s first mountain-top finish to Orcières-Merlette.
South Africa’s two riders in the famous race – Ryan Gibbons of NTT Pro Cycling and Daryl Impey of Mitchelton-Scott – crossed the line virtually together in 70th and 68th positions, respectively, and timed the same as the winner (5hr 17min 42sec).
Overall, Impey lies 110th, 20:57 behind the leader, while Gibbons is 148th, 29:10 off the yellow jersey.
