Stage 3 of the 2026 Tour of Britain covers 194 kilometres from Hull to Beverley on a flat profile, setting up a near-certain bunch sprint. The stage offers little in the way of selective terrain, meaning the fastest finishers and best-organised lead-out trains will dominate the conversation heading into Beverley.
★★★★
Top Favorite
Tim Merlier heads into this stage as the undisputed favourite. He is the fastest pure sprinter in the startlist and Soudal Quick-Step are expert at delivering their sprinters in exactly these conditions. Barring a crash or tactical upset, this stage is his to lose.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Tim Merlier is the standout sprinter in this field, boasting the highest sprint ability of any rider in the startlist. On a flat stage finishing in Beverley, a fast and well-organised Soudal Quick-Step lead-out should deliver him to the line as the clear favourite.
★★★
Strong Contenders
Olav Kooij and Sam Welsford are the two riders most capable of beating Merlier if conditions turn against him. Kooij is a fearsome finisher backed by a strong team, while Welsford has shown he can punch at the highest level in sprint finishes.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Olav Kooij is one of the most dangerous pure sprinters in the peloton and ranks second in sprint ability in this field. Backed by a strong Decathlon CMA CGM squad, he is the most credible threat to Merlier on a flat finish.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Sam Welsford has developed into a reliable finisher in bunch sprints and carries one of the higher sprint ratings in this startlist. With INEOS Grenadiers providing solid support, he is well-placed to challenge for the podium.
★★
Dark Horses
Matteo Moschetti, Ethan Vernon, and Filippo Ganna represent the next tier of contenders. Moschetti is a clean sprinter who can beat the top names on his day, Vernon brings home-crowd motivation, and Ganna's sheer power means he can never be ruled out even in a bunch finish.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Ethan Vernon is a strong sprinter racing on home roads, which could add an extra edge to his performance on this stage. His well-rounded profile and NSN Cycling's local knowledge make him a dark horse worth watching.
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers
Filippo Ganna is a world-class rider whose exceptional all-round ability makes him dangerous even in a field sprint. If the bunch does not deliver a clean sprint, his raw power and cobbles strength could see him profit from any chaos.
Pinarello-Q36.5
Pinarello-Q36.5
Matteo Moschetti is a proven sprint finisher who ranks among the fastest in this field and represents a genuine threat if he can navigate a chaotic finale. Pinarello-Q36.5 will need to be disciplined in the final kilometres to give him a chance.
★
Ones to Watch
Matteo Trentin, Jake Stewart, Cees Bol, and Jasper Stuyven are riders to watch rather than expect to win. Each has credentials to feature in a disrupted or reduced sprint, whether through experience, team dynamics, or home-road advantage.
Decathlon CMA CGM
Decathlon CMA CGM
Cees Bol is a reliable sprinter who can deliver on flat stages and has the backing of a well-organised Decathlon CMA CGM squad. If Kooij misses his chance, Bol could step up as team plan B.
NSN Cycling
NSN Cycling
Jake Stewart is another home rider who will be motivated by the British crowds and has a respectable sprint for this level. He could benefit from the support of NSN Cycling's local setup.
Soudal Quick-Step
Soudal Quick-Step
Jasper Stuyven is a versatile rider whose strong all-round profile and Soudal Quick-Step pedigree make him worth monitoring, especially if the sprint does not come together cleanly. He can be a factor in a reduced or disrupted finish.
Tudor Pro Cycling
Tudor Pro Cycling
Matteo Trentin is an experienced classics-style finisher with strong hills and cobbles attributes that could be useful if the stage is harder than expected. His sprint is competitive enough to feature in a reduced bunch finish.
Verdict
Tim Merlier is the overwhelming favourite on paper, with the top sprint ability in this field and a powerful Soudal Quick-Step lead-out behind him. Olav Kooij and Sam Welsford are his most dangerous rivals, while Ethan Vernon could be the wildcard on home soil.