There is nothing we like better than an unpredictable stage and two teams willing to light it up.

Stage 3: Bourges to Châtel-Guyon, 210km

Quick-Step Floors ripped the race apart on the final climb of the day to launch home-boy Julian Alaphilippe on the attack. With sprinters and GC hopefuls melting away like last week’s snow Astana joined the fun to turn the pressure up further. Their Luis Leon Sanchez got away on the descent with Jonathan Hivert (Direct Energie) and Remy di Gregorio (Delko Marseille Provence). Hivert played it cool to grab the stage victory while Sanchez goes into the lead by 28secs from Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ). And Angryphilippe? Well he’s sitting pretty only 3secs from the podium.

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Astana got their tactics spot on. As Luis Leon headed for the finish and date with a lion plushie, his teammates disrupted the chase and nearly took the bunch sprint for fourth.

Pierre-luc Perichon (Fortuneo-Samsic) gained the polka dot jersey on stage 1 and is still wearing it. I just love how delighted he is and that he gives his flowers away everyday.

A whole lot of meet and greet with fans of all ages

The man they all wanted to meet

I’ll leave you with The Tongue and The Badger

Full race report at Cycling News

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Header image: Jonathan Hivert –  JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images)