Day 3 of Tour de France saw Team Dimension Data’s Mark Cavendish make full use of his sprinting experience as he edged out German rival Andre Greipel in a photo finish to win the third stage of the event, after winning the first stage of the race as well. The yellow jersey was held on by World Champion Peter Sagan which he had claimed on the second day.
This was the British rider’s second victory in this Tour and his 28th overall, after he had emerged victorious in the opening stage of the Tour at Utah Beach. He also matched five-time Tour champion Bernard Hinault for the second position on the all-time list. Only Eddy Merckx is ahead of him in the first position with a record 34 stage wins at the Tour.
"To even be mentioned in the same sentence as Bernard Hinault is something that I couldn't even have dreamed of," Cavendish said. "But I'm never going to compare myself to him."
"I normally know when I win or I lose. When I crossed the line, I kind of knew I got it today," Cavendish said. "But I was quite lucky to just get him."
Bryan Coquard of France came third, while Sagan who had won stage two of the Tour was fourth.
Sagan remained eight seconds ahead of French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe and 10 seconds in front of Spaniard Alejandro Valverde. Defending champion Chris Froome moved up one spot to the fourth position in the overall standings, 14 seconds behind Sagan.
Cavendish was greeted by 61-year-old Hinault, who is now at his final Tour as an ambassador on the winner’s podium. Stage 4 of the race is going to be the longest and slightly more challenging, as the leg from Saumur to Limoges is 148 miles long.
Day 3 results
| S.No | Name/Team | Position |
| 1 | Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) | 1 |
| 2 | André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) | 2 |
| 3 | Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) | 3 |
| 4 | Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) | 4 |
| 5 | Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo) | 5 |
