Tadej Pogačar bemoans hectic Tour de France stage three: 'It was such chaos'
The defending champion lost time to Richard Carapaz


Tadej Pogačar admitted confusion over what happened on stage three of the Tour de France, saying that he was unclear who the day’s winners and losers were.
On a day that saw at least three riders abandon due to crashes, including sprinter Caleb Ewan, Pogačar’s hopes of defending his title suffered disappointment and also help.
>>> Primož Roglič didn't break any bones in Tour de France crash and 'can continue'
The UAE Team Emirates rider finished in the second group behind winner Tim Merlier and lost 14 seconds to Ineos Grenadiers’ Richard Carapaz, who is now the best-placed GC rider, eight seconds ahead of Pogačar.
More positively for the 22-year-old, but not in the manner he would have liked, he is now 28 seconds ahead of Geraint Thomas and holds a 56-second advantage to what many felt would be his closest rival, Primoż Roglič.
Speaking after the stage, Pogačar said: “I did stay on the bike, but it was not a good day.
“There were too many crashes again. It was a really hectic day.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“To be honest, I don’t really know where anybody is: it was such chaos that I don’t know where anyone finished.
“I only know that I am wearing the white jersey and also that I lose time at the finish.”
Stage four is expected to be a sprint stage before Wednesday’s time trial. Given the injuries sustained to Thomas and Roglič, Pogačar may be able to take advantage of their physical states and increase the advantages he has to the pair.
Currently sixth on GC, Pogačar is 21 seconds adrift of Julian Alaphilippe who expressed delight that there was no more racing to be done today.
“I’m happy to have reached the finish line in one piece,” the Deceuninck-Quick-Step rider said.
“I’ve seen [Peter] Sagan crashing with Ewan. We were riding at 70kph so I’ve had to avoid them.
“It was a mentally demanding day that required a lot of focus. I’m happy it’s over.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
FDJ-Suez, SD Worx-Protime, Lidl-Trek confirmed for Tour of Britain Women as strong list of teams announced
18 teams set to take part in four-day WorldTour stage race
By Tom Thewlis
-
Cyclists could face life sentences for killing pedestrians if new law passed in England and Wales
Reckless cycling currently carries a maximum two-year jail term
By Tom Thewlis
-
Jonas Vingegaard confirms race schedule ahead of Tour de France
Danish climber will only ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but will take part in two altitude camps
By Tom Thewlis
-
Tadej Pogačar flies to dominant victory at La Flèche Wallonne
Slovenian takes second win at Belgian classic ahead of Kévin Vauquelin and Tom Pidcock
By Tom Thewlis
-
'The line was 5 metres too far' - Tadej Pogačar reacts to Amstel Gold Race second place
World champion reeled back and beaten in sprint by Lidl-Trek's Mattias Skjelmose
By Tom Davidson
-
'If I were a tennis player then my career would be over': Remco Evenepoel contemplated early retirement after serious training accident
Double Olympic champion was left with nerve damage and says his shoulder is not yet fully healed ahead of his return to racing at Brabantse Pijl
By Tom Thewlis
-
Remco Evenepoel hails end of 'dark period' and announces racing return
Olympic champion says comeback from training crash has been 'the hardest battle of my life so far'
By Tom Thewlis
-
'One of the hardest races I've ever done in my life' - Tadej Pogačar finishes runner-up on Paris-Roubaix debut after crash
World champion reacts to 'extremely hard' battle with Mathieu van der Poel
By Tom Davidson
-
'I start every race to win' - Mathieu van der Poel fired up ahead of Paris-Roubaix showdown with Tadej Pogačar
Two-time winner says he has suffered with illness during spring Classics campaign
By Tom Thewlis
-
'We need to keep the biggest race in the sport free' - Petition calling for Tour de France to remain on free-to-air television reaches 10,000 signatures
As things stand, the Tour will be not be free to watch in 2026, but a petition is seeking to change the way it is categorised by the UK government
By Adam Becket