Belgian Jordi Meeus Claims Stage 3 Victory at the Tour of Algarve; Romain Bardet Abandons
Prelude to the Sprint Finish
The third stage of the Tour of Algarve witnessed a chaotic mass crash in the closing kilometers, setting the stage for a thrilling sprint finish. Despite the challenges, Belgian sprinter Jordi Meeus emerged victorious, marking his first win of the season and the 12th of his illustrious career.
Meeus Surges to Victory
As the peloton approached the line in Tavira, Meeus unleashed a blistering sprint, edging out Italian Alberto Dainese by a mere bike length. Eritrean sensation Biniam Girmay completed the podium, while Meeus’ fellow countrymen Arnaud De Lie and Wout Van Aert finished fourth and eighth, respectively.
Meeus’ Dominance and Green Jersey Ambitions
Meeus, who memorably triumphed on the iconic Champs-Élysées during the 2023 Tour de France, savored his hard-fought victory after the disappointment of Wednesday’s disrupted stage. With his latest triumph, he secured the green jersey as the race’s leading sprinter.
Bardet’s Unfortunate Departure
Frenchman Romain Bardet, who had impressed with a fourth-place finish atop the Alto da Foia on Thursday, was forced to abandon the race after being involved in a crash 25 kilometers from the finish line. Despite initially regaining his feet, a roadside medical examination revealed concerns for his long-term health, prompting his Dutch team Picnic PostNL to withdraw him from the competition.
Sprinters’ Redemption
Stage 3 marked the first genuine opportunity for the sprinters to showcase their prowess at the Tour of Algarve 2025. The chaotic opening stage had seen the majority of the peloton take the wrong route, allowing Filippo Ganna to steal an unearned victory that was later disqualified.
Meeus had lamented the "missed opportunity" to secure a sprint stage win, but he made amends with a masterful display on Friday. His triumph served as a reminder of the unpredictability and drama that can unfold in the world of professional cycling.
Race Standings Unaltered
Despite the eventful nature of Stage 3, the overall standings remained unchanged. Swiss youngster Jan Christen, just 20 years of age, continues to lead the general classification, with Portuguese rider Joao Almeida trailing by four seconds. With the race reaching its halfway point, the battle for the overall title promises to remain fiercely contested as the peloton embarks on the second half of the challenging Algarve terrain.
