Alison Jackson was the chosen rider for the break today and went up the road in a four-rider breakaway that kept the peloton on edge for much of the day. The four riders put in a strong ride, keeping the peloton at bay until the final ten kilometers, when the cohesion broke down and riders started attacking.

Once the peloton reeled the break back in, the team quickly transitioned to plan B, setting up for the sprint with Noemi Rüegg. Still feeling strong after her big ride in the break, Alison Jackson slotted seamlessly into a leadout role, delivering Noemi Rüegg into prime position for the fast, slightly uphill finale. Alison guided Noemi through the chaotic finale and narrowly avoided a large crash in the bunch in the final four kilometers, which saw teammate Letizia Borghesi go down.

Noemi opened up the sprint with her powerful kick after the final corner with 400 meters to go, ultimately running out of steam on the tough, uphill drag, and finishing 9th on the day.

Thankfully, all of our riders escaped with only minor scrapes and bruises in the crash and will be set to start tomorrow.

Hear from our riders after stage 3 of the Tour.

Well, they told me to get in the break and if I didn’t, to do the leadout. So you know what I did? Both jobs! It’s hard to get in the break, but when you make it happen, it feels good. We rode really well together. It’s always special to be in the break at the Tour.

Every director was telling their riders to go for the combativity award, because the three of us in the break were really strong–we could’ve gone even further. When the bunch caught us, I still felt good, so I stayed in for the sprint. Noemi found me and we did a solid leadout.

I’m always proud to represent the maple leaf at the front of the Tour de France.

It was super chaotic and fast in the last 20 kilometers, and then there was a huge crash in the final 4K with a few of our riders involved. Luckily, AJ and I made it through. I just followed Alison’s wheel. We were actually in perfect position. She dropped me off beautifully, and I was second or so going into the final corner.

I had to start my sprint early, around 400 meters to go, because that’s usually my strength. But it was probably too early, and I ended up leading out the rider behind me. I totally blew up, which is a shame, because it could have been a really good finish if I had waited a bit longer.

Still, we tried something different today, and it was a good effort. I just hope everyone recovers well from the crashes, and we go again tomorrow.