Stage 3: Binche > Épernay 08/07/2019 - Stage 3 - 215 kmAt 215 kilometres, the 3rd stage of the Tour de France travels from Binche to Épernay, which is located at the heart of the Champagne region. The hilly finale suits the Classics riders.
Stage 3 takes the riders south from Binche, and they cross the border from Belgium to France after 12km. Initially, they are in the département du Nord, then they cross into the Aisne, very briefly visit the Ardennes before returning to the Aisne, and finally enter the Marne.
It’s been a while since La Grande Boucle last finished in the commercial centre in the Champagne region. Actually, the biggest cycling race in the world arrived only once in Épernay. In 1963, Belgian rider Eddy Pauwels won that year’s 1st stage to catapult himself into the yellow jersey.
Reims is the major city on the route.
The route of the Tour de France’s 3rd stage runs on flat roads to a finale for puncheurs. The last 50 kilometres feature a series of sharp hills – Côte de Nanteuil-la-Forêt (1.1 kilometres at 6.8%), Côte d’Hautvillers (900 metres at 10.5%), Côte de Champillon (1.8 kilometres at 6.6%),
Côte de Mutigny (900 metres at 12.2%)
and Côte du Mont Bernon (1 kilometre at 5%) -, all with the potential to eliminate fast men. Furthermore, the ASO introduces a novelty to pep up the battle for the maillot jaune. Bonus seconds (8, 5 and 3) will be on offer at the Mutigny with 15 kilometres to go. The Mont Bernon is crested with 4 kilometres out, while the run-in to the line is also uphill. To be precise: the last 500 metres climb at 8%.
Pure sprinters won’t stand a chance on this terrain, but it will be interesting to see how the likes of Sagan and Matthews cope. And what about Van Aert? Winning two stages, the cyclocross champion recently made a spectacular stage race debut at the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Favourites 3rd stage 2019 Tour de France
Peter Sagan, Julian Alaphilippe
Greg Van Avermaet, Wout Van Aert, Michael Matthews
Maximilian Schachmann, Alejandro Valverde, Sonny Colbrelli, Michal Kwiatkowski
Matteo Trentin, Tim Wellens, Alberto Bettiol
Rui Costa, Tony Gallopin, Wilco Kelderman, Daryl Impey
