Philipsen’s team Alpecin said in a statement that surgery would be required.

“In a headwind, it’s easier to come from behind in the sprints, it made things more chaotic,” he said.

Milan led over most of the final 150m, but even without sealing the stage win, his efforts were still rewarded as he inherited the green sprint points jersey from the stricken Philipsen.

The 34-year-old will now hold the King of the Mountains polka dot jersey overnight.

Tim Merlier of Belgium has one the Tour de France’s third stage. Source: Getty / Tim de Waele

Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin is in the best under-25 rider’s white jersey after staying in the finishing mix in all three stages.

After 11 bikes were stolen from outside the Cofidis team’s hotel on Sunday, all were all found before the stage’s end — five of them were recovered abandoned in a forest early Monday, with the others being tracked down by the police later in the day.

The Tour de France’s third stage was a 179km flat run from Valenciennes along the Belgian border. Source: Getty / Dario Belingheri

Tuesday’s fourth stage is a 174km run from Amiens, as the Tour leaves the North region, to Rouen in Normandy, with five hills in the final 25km designed to spark a series of race-splitting attacks.