Tim Merlier takes first win of the season on stage 3 of the AlUla Tour after wind decimates the peloton

Tim Merlier has taken victory on stage 3 of the 2024 AlUla Tour after a day that saw the peloton decimated by winds and echelons in Saudi Arabia.

Although the breakaway was caught with still around 30km to go, the high winds ensured that no one in the peloton could relax towards the finale on stage 3. As echelons began to form and chaos ensued, a crash took down a number of riders and overall race leader, Soren Waerenskjold was held up by a puncture, putting way back from the front of the race.

Heading into the final 10km, the front group, led by Soudal - Quick-Step had around 50 seconds on a chasing echelon with Waerenskjold now over two minutes back. With a sprint finish expected, the question was how many of the fast men had made it into the lead group?

Dylan Groenewegen was not within the 30ish riders at the front, Tim Merlier and stage 1 winner Casper van Uden both were however.

Despite a few attackers trying their luck, a sprint was the eventual decider on stage 3. In it, Merlier proved victorious, ahead of Arvid De Kleijn in second, with van Uden completing the podium.

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