Tour de France 2021 Favourites stage 3: Fast finishers showdown #1
image: Cor VosWith stages 1 and 2 favouring the punchers, the next two stages are perfect for the pure bred sprinters. Sam Bennett was dominant in 2020, but the Irishman does not take part this year. (Slideshow route/profile)
Last year, the Irishman ended Peter Sagan’s green jersey dominance. He also clinched two stage wins, as did Caleb Ewan. The Australian is top favourite for the 2021 sprints at the Tour.
The 2019 Tour de France saw Ewan take three triumphs, while Groenewegen took two. In terms of sprint victories, the 2018 edition ended in a draw between Groenewegen and Gaviria: 2-2.
Both Groenewegen and Gaviria do not participate in the 2021 Tour de France. Their teams – Jumbo-Visma and UAE Emirates – are focused on winning the yellow jersey, with Roglic en Pogacar respectively. Furthermore, Jumbo-Visma have Van Aert in their ranks, who can do it all – winning sprints and helping his leader in the high mountains.
Last May, Tim Merlier outgunned Caleb Ewan in the first sprint of the Giro. The Australian bounced back though with two stage wins before he pulled out on the eight day of action.
Mark Cavendish is somewhat of a suprise guest. At the eleventh hour, he replaced Bennett in the Deceuninck-QuickStep squad to contend his first Tour de France since 2018.
Favourites stage 3 Tour de France 2021
*** Caleb Ewan, Tim Merlier
** Arnaud Démare, Wout van Aert, Cees Bol
* Peter Sagan, Nacer Bouhanni, Mark Cavendish
Another interesting read: route 3rd stage 2021 Tour de France.
Tour de France 2021 stage 3: profiles & finish route
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What about Peter Sagan? I agree that he is definitely not the fastest sprinter but I see him on the same level as Cees Bol and Mark Cavendish and ahead of Greipel, Bouhanni etc.