"Pog's like, 'Well, I may as well just win'" - Peloton left frustrated by UAE controlling Tour de France stage 3
Cycling
Riders hoping for a Tour de France breakaway bonanza on Monday's stage 3 were left disappointed after UAE Team Emirates - XRG turned up the heat. Their control of the stage burned off the breakaway and teed up Tadej Pogacar for a final climb assault, winning the stage and taking the yellow jersey.
For some within the peloton, it was the same old story, with UAE's aggressive tactics making the breakaway a rare and often fruitless pursuit for attackers with no general classification ambitions.
For those with yellow on their mind, Pogacar's arrival into the Maillot Jaune sparks concerns that he may not let go of the jersey for some time. With Isaac del Toro in support, the Slovenian is level on time with Jonas Vingegaard while Remco Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and others battl to stay within reach.
For Chris Harper, a climber in support of Tom Pidcock at Pinarello Q36.5, it's all about how the early part of the day plays out - with UAE inevitably bound to ramp it up in the peloton ahead of the finale.
Harper on Pogacar winning a possible breakaway day
"I think sometimes on these days everyone wants to be in the breakaway and then we race for so long," Harper said in a team statement.
He noted the break's long formation and UAE keeping climbers intact ahead of Monday's final hill section the main reasons for the break being brought back. What happens next is simple from his perspective: the race is there to be won if you're Tadej Pogacar.
"We get to a point where someone like Pog's like, 'Well, I may as well just win.' I guess once you get over that first climb, if they don't have to use any of their climbers and can just rely on their big engines."
He added: "Then once they take over it's really hard for the break to stay away. The longer it takes for the move to go, the harder it becomes for those riders to make it to the finish."
The rather dismal take has been echoed by several within the peloton, hoping for breakaway opportunities. For GC contenders, Jonas Vingegaard expressed his satisfaction with his level against Pogacar in a one-punch climbing sprint to the line - losing just two seconds plus some bonuses awarded at the line.
For others, they'll be hoping a shallower stage 4 could be one for breakaways or even the versatile sprinters as the race starts in France for the first time in this edition.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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