Merlier finishes perfect lead-out from Van Lerberghe after chaotic echelon stage - Horror crash for Eekhoff in final kilometer

Tim Merlier has won the third stage of the AlUla Tour. The Soudal Quick-Step sprinter claimed victory after a dramatic finale, which was overshadowed by a nasty crash involving Nils Eekhoff. The final two hours were raced at a blistering pace, averaging nearly 50 km/h due to strong winds, causing significant casualties—including some of the general classification contenders. The European champion secured his second win in three days.

After the shortened and challenging second stage, where Tom Pidcock took both the stage win and the leader’s jersey, stage three was set up perfectly for the sprinters. The 180-kilometer route was almost entirely flat, providing a prime opportunity for Tim Merlier to chase another victory following his success in the opening stage. Because on paper, it looked like it would be a relatively straightforward day.

However, danger was lurking around the corner as the wind started to pick up. As the stage progressed, the pace intensified, and the early breakaway stood little chance. The seven-rider move was reeled in with 35 kilometers to go, just as Picnic PostNL decided to shake things up. The Dutch squad took full advantage of the windy conditions, forcing splits in the peloton. Soudal Quick-Step and Q36.5 Pro Cycling were also quick to react, making sure they were well-positioned for the chaotic finale.

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Wind causes echelons as speed reaches insane levels

Jayco AlUla was caught off guard in the chaotic conditions. While sprinter Dylan Groenewegen made the front group, leader Eddy Dunbar, who was sitting in seventh position in the GC, was caught out. Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates) also found himself in the second peloton, a group of about 30 to 40 riders. They fought desperately to close the gap, but with speeds soaring, it was a massive challenge—the fourth race hour saw an average speed of no less than 50 km/h.

As teams began organizing for the sprint, the chasing group surprisingly started closing in on the leaders. But just as the real sprint trains kicked into gear, the gap widened again. Tudor Pro Cycling worked for Arvid de Kleijn, who was looking for redemption after crashing in stage one. Groenewegen also had revenge on his mind.

In the final two kilometers, race leader Tom Pidcock suffered a puncture, but since it happened inside the safety zone, it had no impact on his overall position. However, the final kilometer saw another horrific crash—Nils Eekhoff went down after a Caja Rural - Seguros RGA rider lost control in front of him. Eekhoff then slammed full-force into a lamppost, causing a brutal impact. Meanwhile, Tim Merlier was delivered perfectly by Bert Van Lerberghe, setting him up for the sprint. Groenewegen had no answer, finishing second behind Merlier, with Juan Sebastián Molano taking third.

Stage 3 AlUla Tour 2025 results:

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