Stage three of the 2026 Tour de France commenced under a scorching 35°C Catalan sun as the peloton rolled out from Granollers, the hometown of former MotoGP rider Aleix Espargaró. With 195.9 km to cover, the race began with a neutral start, interrupted briefly by a puncture suffered by Toms Skujins from Lidl-Trek.

As the riders approached the Côte de Saint Felieu de Codines, an early third-category climb, the pace quickened, showcasing the competitive spirit among cyclists, including Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard, who were seen chatting at the front of the pack.

This stage, which stretches into France, represents a unique challenge as it will be held entirely without fans due to ongoing wildfires in the eastern Pyrenees. Tour director Christian Prudhomme confirmed that the decision was made in consultation with state authorities, emphasizing the serious nature of the conditions. He stated, "We agreed, given the exceptional and frightening conditions of the fire, to limit the road to only the riders and essential organisation vehicles."

The stage features nearly 4,000 meters of climbing but is categorized as a medium mountain stage. Despite the challenging terrain, the absence of spectators adds an unusual twist to the race atmosphere. UAE Team Emirates-XRG is expected to set a rigorous pace to support Pogacar or the previous stage winner Isaac del Toro.

Stage three officially started at 11:10 BST and is anticipated to conclude around 15:54 BST. As the race unfolds, fans and commentators alike speculate on which cyclist might excel in a hypothetical World Cup football setting.