Hectic initial phase
The three first-placed riders had previously gotten rid of their other competitors in the previously six-strong breakaway group on a hill. The peloton finished just under six minutes later, with Belgian superstar Wout van Aert winning the mass sprint to finish seventh.
The stage in Le Bourg-d’Oisans started after the alpine exertions of the past few days, on which the Col du Galibier and the final ascent to the cycling Mecca Alpe d’Huez had been on the program twice. On a largely flat 192.6 km, it went over three smaller climbs to the finish in Saint-Etienne, which was the Tour stage location for the 27th time.
After the usual hectic initial phase, the pace increased again and again, to which numerous drivers fell victim. The sprint specialists also had more problems than expected on the bumpy course throughout the day.
At the front, however, the initially seven-strong leading group of the day formed – unlike the last time without German participation. Instead, it was peppered with strong time trialists such as the two-time world champion in the fight against the clock, Filippo Ganna, the Swiss Stefan Küng and Pedersen.
Geschke continues in mountain jersey
To the delight of the strong breakaways, the field was divided for a long time. BikeExchange-Jayco only organized the follow-up work just under 50 km before the finish line, in order to enable a mass sprint after all. A little later, however, the peloton capitulated.
The German Cofidis driver Simon Geschke was relatively relaxed in defending the jersey of the best climber, without making an appearance in the smaller climbs. “I’m still a few points ahead, let’s see how long they last,” Geschke said before the stage, after he had defended his leading position with a lot of fighting spirit and a bit of luck in the high mountains. The afternoon was similarly calm for Vingegaard, who rolled to the finish with the peloton.
The tour continues on the weekend as well. Before the last day of rest on Monday, a moderately difficult section and a largely flat stage in the Massif Central are on the program. On Saturday the explosive punchers around van Aert in the green jersey will hope for victory in Mende, while on Sunday in Carcassonne the “real sprinters” could have their chance again.