The Italian sprinter was finally able to challenge for the stage win after two stressful opening days of racing at his debut Tour de France.
It was a crash-marred third stage to the Tour de France with tensions still high in the bunch despite no breakaway going clear at any point throughout the 178.3km stage from Valenciennes to Dunkerque.
Lidl-Trek remained well-positioned and out of trouble all day with their first key point, the intermediate sprint with around 60 kilometers of racing to go.
There Milan added maximum points to his growing tally but it was also, unfortunately, where the race took its first victim with Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck), who started the day in the lead of the green jersey standings, crashing out of the race. Another crash inside five kilometers to go saw some riders go down before another just round the final turn but, thankfully, Lidl-Trek were able to avoid getting caught up.
Milan’s teammates appeared to be one of the most organized teams heading into the final couple of kilometers before the Italian launch sprint after the final corner. However Soudal-QuickStep’s Tim Merlier was able to carry enough speed to come up and pass Milan right at the last moment with the Belgian beating Milan in a photo finish as the pair were separated by only centimeters on the line.
Of course, I am a little bit disappointed. You cannot be super happy for second place. I mean, it is always a big result, and I am happy for the jersey that we achieved today. It was a little bit of a tough final but I tried my best in the sprint and, maybe I should have waited a but more, but after the stage it’s always easier to say what you could have done. We just have to learn from this finish and keep fighting for the victory.
With the headwind it is more tough but chapeau to Tim [Merlier] for the win. The green jersey was always something we have been thinking about and now we have to keep believing in it. I have to say, that I am sorry for Jasper [Philipsen] who crashed out today and I hope he will be okay.
Stage 3 Zac Williams Photo Gallery