164 km to go – The leading group starts like this 15 seconds rather than the pack at the first obstacle of the day. The Côte de Brié is 2.4 kilometers at 6.9 percent, and at the top there are 2 and 1 points up for grabs.
165 km to go – A Dutch company in the leading group! Danny van Poppel also joins Van der Hoorn. The other names: Périchon, Pedersen and Mozzato.
Another 166 km – Taco van der Hoorn won’t let it go, and just give it another try! The Dutchman gets four others with him.
170 km to go – Flight attempt undone! The attempts of some riders in the peloton to join the leading group only brought the peloton closer to the leading group. They have now been charged, and so everything is the same again.
172 km to go – The lead is growing cautiously and it looks like we’re getting some serious flight! However, a number of riders from the peloton are still trying to accompany the leading group.
175 km to go – There is a leading group of five riders, with 63 kilometers per hour they try to ride away from the peloton. Nils Politt, Kamil Gradewk, Taco van der Hoorn, Matis Louvel and Jérémy Lecroq have 7 seconds on the rest.
178 km to go – haha! Who do we have there? Taco van der Hoorn finds the connection with Gradek. The Dutchman is going for the stage win today, and in any case is already taking a first step in the right direction.
179 km to go – Kamil Gradek tries it! Bahrain-Victorious Polish rider rides 5 seconds away from the pack, and several riders try to join him.
181 km to go – Several riders have attempted an attack, but we haven’t had a successful run yet. Stan Dewulf, Stefan Küng and Filippo Ganna, among others, were unable to drive away.
190 km to go – A number of groups have already started the escape attempt a few times, but the peloton is always quick to minimize the difference. The pace always shoots from 40 kilometers per hour to 60 kilometers per hour.
Depart real! The riders have left before the official start and the pace is right away. Who will make the first (successful) escape attempt?
Official start! The riders have left again for the neutralization. A long hilly stage is on the agenda, in sweltering France. The temperature is currently 29 degrees, but can still rise.