A place in the leading group actually meant no chance of the stage victory today, but it did on the mountain points. Sprinters have few chances of stage wins this Tour of Spain, so they have their team do a lot of work to avoid a surprise from the escapees. That is why the points on top of the Amerongse Berg were the goal of five riders in the leading group.
In the fourth category climb, Julius van den Berg was the first to attack together with Frenchman Thibault Guernalec. They were taken back by their fellow escapees thanks to the hard work of Jetse Bol, but they were not involved in the final sprint. Van den Berg was just stronger from Guernalec and will be allowed to cycle through the Netherlands tomorrow in the polka dot jersey.
Australian Chris Harper should have received the first mountain jersey on Friday, without there being a climb in the team time trial won by his team Jumbo-Visma. Harper crossed the finish line in third after Robert Gesink (red leader’s jersey) and Slovenian Primoz Rglic (points jersey).
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