Tour de France stage 3 LIVE – Racing has begun on a hot day in the Pyrenees, but will it be a stage for the breakaway or more GC action?

That's pretty much closed down now. So we start again. The first climb starts in about 5km, and it's 7km long.

Raúl García Pierna (Movistar) and Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) have just joined the leaders, with a load more riders chasing behind.

Five off the front

A group of five have just chipped off the front and they have about 10 seconds, but we're nowhere near done – the breakaway battle has only just begun, I'd say.

But for reference, they are:

• Vervaeke (Soudal-QuickStep)
• Træen (Uno-X Mobility)
• Slock (Lotto Intermarché)
• Guernalec (TotalEnergies)
• Nicolau (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)

Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) is in the mix near the front. Probably policing things for his team, keeping an eye on who is doing what, more than trying to get involved himself.

It's mainly strong breakaway specialists and smaller team riders who are having a go right now, but it's not quite full gas yet.

The first climb starts in just a few kilometres, so actually instead of attacks from the gun we're seeing a relatively calm peloton right now. Riders are amassing at the front, but not launching just yet, as they will be a big fight on the climb – they're saving their energy for that.

As I say that, Louis Vervaeke launches a little move off the front.

Official start

Off we go! 195.9km on the menu today, with three cat. 3 climbs and one cat. 1.

Full stage preview: Tour de France 2026 stage 3 preview - Where there's smoke, there could be fire

Talking of their rivalry, though, we've done a few Pogačar vs Vingegaard head to heads recently, comparing their bikes and their physiology.

Have a read here:

Pogačar vs Vingegaard: A physiological head-to-head – Where the battle will be won at the Tour de France

Pogačar and Vingegaard are having a bit of a chat and a laugh in the roll out. Big rivals but these two really do get along and like each other.

Other riders on the front and possibly priming for a go in the break include Mads Pedersen, Quentin Pacher and Lewis Askey.

Fortunately yesterday some other teams were on hand to help Del Toro out.

Sportsmanship on show at Tour de France as Isaac del Toro gets mechanical assistance from rival teams after his own team cars drive straight past him

Isaac del Toro is back at the car getting some assistance with his radio. (After yesterday's mishap where his team car drove straight past him, they'll want to be sure communication is all working today!)

5km left of the neutral, but they won't actually drop the flag until everyone is back in the bunch, so no rush for Del Toro.

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Neutral roll out

They're off! About 10 minutes of neutralised racing before the flag drops.

The riders are assembling for the start now. Neutral roll out coming shortly – the flag should drop about 10 minutes later.

First glimpse this morning of Vingegaard in yellow again this morning, and his mask.

There doesn't seem to be much consensus on what kind of a stage today might be.

Apparently Visma are happy to let the yellow jersey go if the opportunity arises, but only to the right rider – i.e. not Tadej Pogačar or another GC rival. It certainly seems like a day that would be good for the breakaway, and could come with big rewards, so I'd predict a pretty big fight to get in that move. But equally, if a rider like Pogačar or Del Toro get the chance to make some GC fireworks, they won't give that opportunity up.

What do you think? Don't forget to vote in the poll above.

Vingegaard is wearing a face mask to sign on and the mixed zone again. He's clearly not taking any chances when it comes to getting sick at this race.

Overall standings and jerseys

Quick reminder of who is wearing what today:

🟡 Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)

🟢 Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG)

🔴 Alex Molenaar (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA)

⚪ Juan Ayuso (Lidl-Trek) *Del Toro leads the classification

Full standings: Tour de France GC standings – Tadej Pogačar closes in on Jonas Vingegaard with time bonus on stage 2

Hot day ahead

Lots of cooling going on at the start. It's 33ºC in Granollers already.

About 30 minutes to go until the neutral roll out. The teams are currently signing on in Granollers, which you can watch live on the Tour's Twitter feed, if you want.

Apart from the tricky parcours, the reason there's a bit of tension hanging over today is because wildfires are currently raging in southern France, which yesterday were threatening to cancel today's stage.

In the end, ASO and the local authorities have decided to go ahead, but with strict instructions to fans to not come and watch the final 40km of the stage. There will be now publicity caravan, in order to further deter spectators, and there may be fines handed out for anyone who disobeys the stay-away instruction.

More on this: Tour de France stage 3 to go ahead but spectators asked not to attend finish due to forest fires in 'exceptional decision'

GC analysis

We are only two days into this Tour de France, but after the opening TTT and yesterday's Montjuïc fireworks, the GC race is well and truly on, earlier than ever.

Jonas Vingegaard is in yellow for the first time in three years, but UAE Team Emirates-XRG took the spoils yesterday in an ominous performance. Indeed, Tadej Pogačar's 'gift' to Isaac del Toro may be a very important part of the race to come – because he probably just sealed the Mexican's loyalty and highest commitment for the rest of the race.

My colleague James, who is on the ground at the race, wrote more about this:

The importance of a Tadej Pogačar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy – Barcelona Grand Départ GC analysis

If you were out enjoying your weekend yesterday, here's what you missed on stage 2. It was an absolutely cracker, especially the finale, so I'd totally recommend seeking out the highlights, too, but here's the rundown and results.

Tour de France: Isaac del Toro, Tadej Pogačar power to UAE Team Emirates 1-2 on stage 2

Today's parcours

Here is what's on the cards today from Granollers in Spain to Les Angles in France. The peloton cross the border at just over 150km into the stage, so we're mainly still in Spain after the weekend's Barcelona Grand Départ.

• Length: 195.9km
• Elevation gain: 3,940m
• Intermediate sprint: Campdevànol, km 98.4
• Climbs:
  • Côte de Saint Feliu de Codines (8.2km at 4.5%) – cat. 3, km 17.2
  • Col de Toses (9.3km at 6.5%) – cat. 1, km 127.7
  • Col du Calvaire (11.4km at 4.1%) – cat. 3, km 172.3
  • Les Angles (1.7km at 6.5%) – cat. 3, km 195.9

Good morning and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 3 of the Tour de France!

Matilda here, and I'll be guiding you through the stage all day. It could be an interesting one, as the race heads back into France via plenty of climbing.

Any questions or comments? Drop them in the comments section below and I'll get back to you there, or answer anything interesting here.