On this Monday, many fans across Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium likely stared in disbelief at the unfolding scene on their highways and byways. The promotion caravan carried far more than banners; it carried the promise of comeback for the French round after a stretch of setbacks on Danish soil. Denmark served as a prelude to what could become a stirring chapter this week, as the stages in view aimed to rekindle the appetite for competition and the fierce spark that the Tour de France embodies.
The pursuit continues with a bold field of 176 riders setting off from Copenhagen, a city coping with an irrational gust of misfortune while also embracing the start of a new phase just outside Dunkirk. Stage four begins here, and the route promises a terrain designed to provoke emotion and invite early attacks from hopeful contenders. The course seems engineered to test riders’ resilience and to spark incremental drama as the race unfolds across diverse landscapes.
Yet attention must stay fixed on the iconic cobblestones of Paris-Roubaix, a midweek test that could define the outcome more decisively than many mountain stages later in the calendar. The Tour will don the Hell of the North guise, a nickname earned by brutal selectivity around cobbled sectors. This is where the race can swing in a heartbeat, especially when the Alps loom next week with Gron and Alpe d’Huez, followed by Pyrenees segments such as Peyragudes and Hautacam. In the cobbled lanes near Roubaix, the momentum built on the flats or climbs can vanish within moments; a minute gained or lost on those stones may be impossible to recover once the mountains begin to dominate the tempo of the race.
Whether in full competition or careful training, the elite riders have already faced the French cobbles. Some have even sought an alternative to Belgian paving by challenging himself on these storied streets, much like Tadej Pogacar who signed up for the Tour of Flanders among other races and very nearly crossed the line first. This season’s cobble work is a proving ground for many, testing blend of technique, nerve, and endurance that define a rider’s palmarès.
Everyone anticipates Wednesday when the day’s narrative will hinge on a duel at the front between Wout van Aert, the current race leader, and Mathieu van der Poel, a relentless rival. Their clash has the makings of a pivotal chapter in the early stages, with both riders known for their willingness to attack and for their ability to turn ordinary moments into memorable decisive moves. The dynamic is immediate: van Aert’s steadiness against van der Poel’s relentless pressure, with Primož Roglič watching from behind in the yellow jersey, ready to pounce if the opportunity arises. The race has already shown hints of the dramatic Friday at Planche des Belles Filles, where Pogacar claimed a historic win in 2020, underscoring how quickly fortunes can shift in cycling’s grand events.
Sunday results
Stage 3 and the headquarters for PTO2022 were captured in a social post from July 3, 2022, reflecting the ongoing narrative of a race that thrives on moments, memories, and the steady pulse of competition. The image from Javier Gilabert C. on Twitter summarised the mood of the day, a reminder that every mile contributes to a larger story of perseverance and pursuit that defines professional cycling.