Team Picnic-PostNL initiated a fast pace at the start of Stage 3 of the Tour de France, briefly shedding several riders, including two-time stage winner and former King of the Mountains Warren Barguil. The team had to slow down and wait for the dropped riders to rejoin. Barguil, known as "Wawa" among fans, has not achieved significant results since his 2017 heyday. He once gamely posed in a crown for a cycling magazine photo shoot, showing good grace.
Early Race Dynamics
The early aggression from Team Picnic-PostNL set a high tempo, causing a split in the peloton. Caja Rural, a Spanish team, took the lead in the initial kilometers, as seen in the photo by Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA. The fast start is a tactic to control the race and possibly set up breakaway attempts.
Impact on Riders
Warren Barguil, who won two stages in the 2017 Tour and the King of the Mountains classification, has struggled to replicate that form. His current team, Team Picnic-PostNL, seems to be using a high-paced strategy that may not suit him. The slowdown to wait for dropped riders indicates a team-focused approach, prioritizing cohesion over individual efforts.
