Stage 3: Vejle to Sønderborg (flat)

EFE riders demonstrating an old Danish technique for when the bunch sprint gets rough (www.letour.fr)

Another bunch sprint day, another Dutch winner. But Stage 3 marked the return of Dylan Groenewegen, with the complementary story from the previous day. The victim of Groenwegen’s error in the Tour of Poland, Fabio Jacobsen says he has no memories of the horrendous crash that nearly cost him his life, whereas the perpetrator (one reckless moment…) had to endure psychological damage of his own. Critically, he described how he had lost his nerve in bunch sprints because of the fear of causing someone else to crash. There is more going on than the obvious physical challenge and bravado.

Team of the Day

Team of the Day is again Mike’s Piles no Comprises who have achieved top points for the third day in a row! He is the undisputed King of Denmark and top of the league. The only person more consistent might be Wout van Aert who has finished second for three stages in a row. That used to be Peter Sagan’s speciality: I wonder if that is why Sagan was so angry with him as they cross the finish line?

Stat du Jour

Chart of jerseys and prizes won so far (up to Stage 3)

The prize chart is interesting, as it encodes who has Pogacar (white), Van Aert (yellow and green) and Cort (pink and red), or some combination or all three (Team Ciclominaccia). The 3 teams notching up stage wins are those including Jakobsen. Only Jim’s Conjecture Sauvage (“a new scent from Maison du Dommage – pour hommes”) and Dr James’ Porridgefree Lubricators have yet to register.

Postcard from Jylland

Søndag den 2. juli. Sønderborg

Denmark is very flat as was Stage 3 on the peninsula of Jutland. Nevertheless there were three KOM “climbs” on today’s stage, the highest of which was the mighty Cote de Genner Strand at a vertigo-inducing 61 m. All three were conquered by the polkadot Dane Magnus Cort, who also took all three yesterday, without the aid of oxygen tanks. He was also Billy-no-mates for much of Sunday as the sole breakaway rider, but did get a hero’s welcome from the home crowd. “Milking it” according to Cycling Weakly.

The inhabitants of Jutland are Jutes. When Angles and Saxons were busy populating much of post-Roman Britain, it was the Jutes who came over to Kent and the Isle of Wight. Anyway today the entire population (it appeared) of Jutes came out to wave the red flag with white Scandinavian cross. Is it illegal to wave any other flag in Denmark?