By Vincent Daheron DUNKERQUE, France (Reuters) -Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen withdrew from the Tour de France on Monday, two days after winning the opening stage, following a brutal crash that made it impossible for him to continue the third stage.

A three-week Grand Tour will always contain natural ebbs and flows, and, for much of Monday’s stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk, it looked as if the peloton had declared an unofficial rest day, with the riders happy to cruise back towards the coast after a weekend of wind, rain and intensity.

Belgian cyclist Jasper Philipsen exited the Tour de France due to a crash in the third stage, requiring surgery for a collarbone fracture. Despite an early victory, his race ended with multiple crashes impacting fellow riders,