Stage three on cycling's Tour de France has been a case study in delight and disappointment

Tim Merlier has won the 178-kilometre flat leg via a sprint in Dunkerque .

Mathieu van der Poel continues to wear the leader's yellow jersey.

Laurence Pithie was 179th, finishing as part of the peloton.

However Jasper Philipsen , the winner of the opening stage, has been forced to withdraw due to a fractured right collarbone and at least one broken rib after a crash en route.