Merlier narrowly beat Jonathan Milan. “I saw the 300 meters sign and I said to myself that we had to go there,” said the Belgian sprinter. “I saw that Milan started their sprint from the left side and I knew I would be first or second. I'm happy to have won. The team did a great job: Mauri Vansevenant was still with me after the ascension, Julian Alaphilippe was, Luke Lamperti, Bert Van Lerberghe…”
The 3rd stage was special, because, before Pogacar's attack in the finale, a breakaway including sprinters, including Merlier, had formed at the front, while there remained 80 km to go. “Suddenly we were 20-25 riders up front, but for us it wasn't a good situation. It was just me and Luke Lamperti, other teams had more riders. I tried to slow down a little and it turned out to be the right choice.”
