Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage three predictions, preview and best bets

The Tour de France enters its third day with riders tackling a predominantly flat route from Valenciennes to Dunkerque. Read on to find a detailed preview and the best bet recommendation, and don’t forget to take advantage of the selected betting offers listed below to maximise your betting value.

Cycling betting tips: Tour de France stage three predictions

Will Crosswinds Disrupt a Straightforward Sprint Finish?

• Jasper Philipsen was expertly led out by Van der Poel and Groves in stage one but now faces a full-strength field of rivals.
• Stage three includes only one categorised climb—Mont Cassel—making it the flattest stage of the 2025 Tour de France.
• Jordi Meeus benefits from calmer early stages and a route profile tailored for late power surges in a flat bunch sprint.

Our Best Bet

Following the chaotic terrain and relentless climbs of the previous stages, today promises a rare opportunity for the pure sprinters to shine. The peloton is expected to depart around 1:10pm local time, with the finish scheduled shortly after 5pm. As the race continues its northern stretch, stage three’s 178km parcours winds its way across the industrial heartland of the Nord region before arriving at the windswept shores of the Channel.

Unlike the previous days, this stage avoids punishing pavé sectors or multiple categorised ascents. The only classified climb—Mont Cassel—features again, although its gentle gradients and short distance make it unlikely to derail the day’s expected finale. Still, with exposed roads and a coastal finish, the potential for strong crosswinds could add a layer of unpredictability, testing the tactical organisation of teams hoping to protect both general classification contenders and sprinters.

Coverage of the stage can be found live on TNT Sports and ITV4, with action unfolding from midday. While many will be seeking stage victory, for the overall contenders today is about staying upright and avoiding costly time gaps due to crashes or splits in the bunch. The question is: who will best weather both the wind and the peloton’s fury to seize control at the finish line?

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Best Bet for Stage Three: Jordi Meeus to Win

Here at BettingTips4You, we prioritise precision and accountability. Rather than scattergun multiple predictions, we focus on delivering one standout recommendation for each event. This singular approach ensures our readers can confidently back a clear selection without second-guessing. For stage three of the Tour de France, our pick is Jordi Meeus to take the win in Dunkerque.

While Jasper Philipsen is the favourite following his stage one triumph, today’s terrain and context suggest an opportunity may arise for Meeus to capitalise. The Belgian has the kind of sprinting profile suited perfectly to this course—a mostly flat run-in with just one minor climb in the final 30km—and given the likelihood of a bunch sprint, Meeus will have his eyes firmly on the line.

Alpecin-Deceuninck will undoubtedly aim to control the finale once again, using the combined strength of Mathieu van der Poel and their seasoned lead-out man Kaden Groves. However, this third stage introduces a twist: a broader presence of rested sprinters. Unlike in stage one, where some rivals missed the front group in chaotic crosswinds, names like Merlier, Milan, and indeed Meeus are all expected to be present and contesting the finish.

Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have shown solid cohesion and tactical sharpness so far, and Meeus is arguably entering this Tour in quietly consistent form. If crosswinds disrupt the rhythm or if Philipsen’s train finds itself slightly out of sync—particularly with Van der Poel’s dual responsibility of holding the yellow jersey—Meeus could strike.

The final stretch into Dunkerque is exposed, flat, and fast, favouring a sprinter with raw power and intelligent positioning. Meeus fits that mould, and at a solid price, he represents value against a field where attention is overly fixed on the top two favourites.

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