“I’m not at 100 percent, but I felt good at the beginning and made it into the group. But in the end it’s these five or ten percent that are missing,” said Kämna, adding: “I did my best , what should you do. The heat isn’t my dream weather, but it was okay up to the last mountain.”
The favorites only tested each other briefly
The favorites only tested each other briefly. Pogacar tried several times to escape from Vingegaard – but without success. The pace was too high for other podium contenders like Thomas or Nairo Quintana, they lost a few seconds.
Shortly after the start, a group of 23 riders was formed, in addition to Kämna his teammates Patrick Konrad and Felix Großschartner (both Austria) were there, which was a comfortable situation for the Bora-hansgrohe team. But it shouldn’t work out in the final.
Geschke, meanwhile, collected a total of three points on the first three climbs. That was enough to consolidate his lead in the mountains classification. He no longer took part in the fight for the day’s victory. Saving energy was the order of the day.
Sunday is probably the hottest day for the drivers on this tour. It can get up to 40 degrees warm on the 15th stage over 202.5 kilometers from Rodez to Carcassonne. It’s one of the last few chances for a mass finish for the sprinters.