Cycling: On the 3rd stage of the Etoile de Bessèges, Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) also took the lead in the overall standings with his day's win. The Frenchman broke away from a 24-strong lead group and reached the finish line as a soloist. Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin) was fifth as the best German. The peloton arrived at the stage town of Bessèges more than 15 minutes behind. Nico Denz (Ag2r) remains in the mountain jersey.
Katusha-Alpecin is strong again
After a sprint finish on each of the previous two stages, the peloton should show little interest in a bunch sprint today. A group of 24 riders was let loose around Bessèges and came through with a margin of more than 15 minutes. Also there was the German Nils Politt, who finished fifth at the end of the stage. It was already clear to everyone involved many kilometers before the finish line that the escapees would fight for victory today. Lilian Calmejane finally took the initiative and was actually able to break away. He crossed the finish line as the winner with a lead of six seconds in front of the Dane Mads Würtz Schmidt (Katusha-Alpecin) and the Italian Mauro Finetto (Delko Marseille). Germany's Nico Denz (Ag2r) was able to defend his mountain jersey again. With 18 points, he is now two points ahead of his team-mate Hubert Dupont and Preben Van Hecke (Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise) in the mountains classification.