In yesterday's second stage, both Frank and Andy Schleck lost time as they were unable to keep up with their rivals on the final climbs. Today they both lost more than a minute after they had been caught behind a crash on the wet roads in the finale.

The third stage was the flattest so far, and a welcomed day after the punishing climbs of stage two. The token breakaway that escaped early consisted of only two courageous - but ultimately doomed – souls. It was a day that gave a little respite to the peloton, essential in a race as arduous and long as the Tour de France.

For Trek Factory Racing it was a bittersweet stage. Danny van Poppel, 20, free-lanced the mass sprint to finish in 6th place, a respectable result in the Tour de France where every sprint is a feverish affair with a prestigious stage win on the line. But Fränk Schleck lost over a minute’s time in the treacherous and wet finale, caused by crashes and riders leaving gaps.

“We started well," Frank Schleck said. "It was a nice, quiet easy day and we just had to follow; the sprinters would take care of it. We knew it would go very fast in the end, but that is never a problem.

"But with the rain the roads were slippery and some crashes and with three kilometers to go some riders in front of me let a gap open. I was gapped off and I tried to sprint but I could not close the gap.  It was my fault – I was not in the front enough. It just goes to show there is no easy day in the Tour de France. What can I say? That’s how it is.”

The rain began to fall as the peloton entered the streets of London in a full-speed chase as the two lone riders gallantly rode ahead.  But the catch was inevitable. The sprinters’ teams had formed behind, and even the wet roads did not skew the pace of the chase. The two were caught with six kilometers left, and an exhilarating bunch sprint ensued.

On the line Marcel Kittel (Giant Shimao) handedly sprinted to his second victory, leaving Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and Mark Renshaw (OPQS) a few bike lengths behind. For Trek Factory Racing’s budding, young sprinter it was another successful test against some of the world’s best sprinters in the grandest race of them all.

“It was a very hectic with a lot of rain in the last part," Van Poppel said. "I heard a crash and I think Andy was in that. I was sitting perfect and I was waiting for the sprint. I was sitting in good wheels, but then riders came on the left and I was boxed in. I was waiting for it to open so I could do my sprint. I passed maybe 3-4 riders in the last 100 meters. I’ve got a lot of power and I was waiting to use it…it’s not a bad result for the Tour.”

Andy Schleck was a victim of a solo crash, but fortunately escaped with only scrapes and bruises. He was able to rejoin the peloton, and finish the race.

“I was really unlucky in this moment, it was not even raining at this point," Andy Schleck said. "I came from the back and this guy moved from left to right and I went into his back wheel. The roads are rough and I lost a bit of skin on the arms, knee, hips and ribs, but I think it will be okay. No spectator was involved. I guess it was my own fault.

"It was a dangerous finish, there were crashes and gaps in the peloton - guys were sitting up with 5kms to go. We have to see if we come good over the next days, and then in the climbs everything can change.

"Normally it's the three kilometre rule and they keep the same time but I don't think it will be the case today. We lost something like over a minute but it's not over, the Tour has just started, in the climbs I think that will change.”

Haimar Zubeldia finished in the same time as stage winner Kittel, and holds 17th place overall, two seconds behind the yellow jersey of Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).

Tomorrow the race begins its first stage in France, and it should prove to be another test for the sprinters with its level parcours.