15-07-2017, 22:31
To my amazement, never mind yours, my two picks for today's stage managed to triumph on the final sprint. Thomas De Gendt had been in the breakaway for most of the stage, finally going solo, but was hauled in by the peloton with 12km to go. After a fair bit of toing and froing, the scene was set for a hard slog up the final crest, with Michael Matthews winning comfortably, easing off in the last 40m. A fast finishing Greg Van Avermaet was a clear second, with a group led by Edvald Boasson Hagen and including Froome, Martin and Uran 1 second behind. Bardet and Yates were 5 seconds behind and Landa was 15 seconds adrift. The one leading GC rider to really miss the final surge to the line was the Yellow Jersey of Fabian Aru, who somehow managed to lose ground by finishing 25 seconds behind.
This now means Chris Froome regains the Yellow Jersey, leading Aru by 18 seconds, Bardet by 23 seconds and Uran by 29 seconds. Landa is 1m 17 seconds behind and the amazing Dan Martin - when he gets off the bike he can't stand up straight, can hardly stand, in fact - is a further 9 seconds away. Marcel Kittel still leads Michael Matthews by 99 points for the Green Jersey and Warren Barguil dominates the Polka Dot Jersey, although there are lots of points to be won in the 3rd week. Simon Yates leads the White Jersey rankings from Louis Meintjes with a 3m 7s advantage.
Back in the mountains for tomorrow's stage from Laissac-Severac l'Eglise to Le Puy-en-Velay, which features Category 1 and Category 3 climbs with an uphill sprint at the halfway point, immediately followed by an long uncategorised climb. Later on there are another 2 climbs (Cat 1 and 4) with a short downhill section to a flat finish. I expect to see the usual Sky train dominating the peloton, but always expect the unexpected with the time differences so small. A fully fit Dan Martin would be a strong favourite, even a half fit one will cause problems, but I'd go for Lilian Calmejane to repeat his Stage 8 win with a long range solo effort.
As an aside and in recognition of the Wimbledon Ladies Final today, Le Puy-en-Velay is the birthplace of the 2013 champion, Marion Bartoli.
This now means Chris Froome regains the Yellow Jersey, leading Aru by 18 seconds, Bardet by 23 seconds and Uran by 29 seconds. Landa is 1m 17 seconds behind and the amazing Dan Martin - when he gets off the bike he can't stand up straight, can hardly stand, in fact - is a further 9 seconds away. Marcel Kittel still leads Michael Matthews by 99 points for the Green Jersey and Warren Barguil dominates the Polka Dot Jersey, although there are lots of points to be won in the 3rd week. Simon Yates leads the White Jersey rankings from Louis Meintjes with a 3m 7s advantage.
Back in the mountains for tomorrow's stage from Laissac-Severac l'Eglise to Le Puy-en-Velay, which features Category 1 and Category 3 climbs with an uphill sprint at the halfway point, immediately followed by an long uncategorised climb. Later on there are another 2 climbs (Cat 1 and 4) with a short downhill section to a flat finish. I expect to see the usual Sky train dominating the peloton, but always expect the unexpected with the time differences so small. A fully fit Dan Martin would be a strong favourite, even a half fit one will cause problems, but I'd go for Lilian Calmejane to repeat his Stage 8 win with a long range solo effort.
As an aside and in recognition of the Wimbledon Ladies Final today, Le Puy-en-Velay is the birthplace of the 2013 champion, Marion Bartoli.
Cabbage is still good for you