I'm happy to step up and see if I can fill Jasper Philipsen's shoes,' Groves explains, far less disappointed than Merlier

Stage 8, 171km from Saint-Meen-le-Grand - the birthplace of three-time Tour winner Louison Bobet - was always heading for a battle among the fast men, and it was the Italian who surfed the wheels best after losing his lead-out train, hopping onto Mathieu van der Poel ’s leadout before breaking clear.

Stage 3 of the 2025 Tour de France featured a massive sprint to the end and a bad crash. Here's a look at results and standings after Monday's race: