Finishing in the town of Tours, home to the finish of the late-season Paris-Tours race, stage 3 is another stage tailor-made for the sprinters. Another chance for McEwen et al to show they can make light work of three approximately 1km, Cat 4 climbs and three intermediate sprints to take the stage victory. The two later climbs, at 161.5km and 179.5km should make the selection for those contesting the sprint come 5 o'clock. The last time Tours hosted a stage was in 2000, and it welcomes the Tour back with a probable exciting sprint finish. This is a stage very well suited to a sprinter such as Fassa's Alessandro Petacchi; but without the presence of Ale Jet at this year's Tour, and a number of sprinters on song, look to riders such as Baden Cooke to stamp their authority on the early stages after a mostly forgettable couple of seasons since winning the green jersey in 2003.
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Rebecca Henderson prevails through wild weather and a crash to clinch 12th consecutive Australian mountain bike elite cross-country title
Sam Fox reclaims men’s elite title in shortened race after severe weather hit Mt Buller on Sunday -
Dominika Włodarczyk surprises herself with strong showing in Trofeo Alfredo Binda
Ardennes classics and Vuelta next for Polish champion in second WorldTour season -
'Attack and not look back' – Magnus Sheffield takes first WorldTour stage win at Paris-Nice ahead of friend Matteo Jorgenson
Jorgenson finishes second on stage 8 to secure GC title at top-tier French race that 'is turning into an American race haven' -
'I needed to show that I'm ready' - Juan Ayuso steps out of Tadej Pogačar's shadow with Tirreno-Adriatico victory
Spaniard wins Italian stage race as he prepares to step up a level and target the Giro d'Italia
