The 2022 Tour de France resumes on Tuesday as the action heads to France following three scintillating stages across Denmark.
Team BikeExchange-Jayco rider Dylan Groenewegen was the winner of a thrilling stage three on Sunday, as a photo finish was required to confirm the Dutchman had clinched the fifth Tour win of his career.
Wout van Aert (66/1 – Outright) was the man to once again miss out, as he had to settle for second place for the third stage in a row, but the Team Jumbo-Visma rider was able to extend his lead at the top of the general classification standings to seven seconds ahead of fellow Belgian Yves Lampaert.
Two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar (8/13 – Outright) is also well positioned in third, while Jonas Vingegaard (7/2) and Primoz Roglic (4/1), who are both expected to challenge for the Yellow Jersey, are also in the top 10, as are British duo Adam Yates (33/1) and Tom Pidcock (100/1).
Following Monday’s rest day, which saw the riders travel from Denmark to France, stage four will now take place, with the 171.5km ride from Dunkirk to Calais including six category four climbs as well as a testing terrain.
The stage is expected to be a good one for Van Aert (11/4 – Stage Four Winner), as is Wednesday’s 157km ride from Lille to Arenberg, where the infamous cobbles could take their toll.
Van Aert may well have extended his lead at the top of both the general and points classification standings come the end of stage five and the 27-year-old is certainly happy with his work so far, even if he is yet to add to his six stage wins on the Tour.
“I think what’s coming will be really demanding after the rest day,” the Belgian told reporters. “Every stage has tricky parts, something special like the cobbles. I’m looking forward to it.
“I have to be really happy with this position,” he added. “I dreamed for a long time to wear the yellow jersey and we are doing good things for green as well which has been a big goal all season.
“Everything is good but I like to win races so if I come close like I did in the last couple of days sometimes it is with mixed feelings.”
