25-07-2019, 17:50
Well, that was much better with attacks coming from all over. And we've found out why I'm hopeless at predictions.
The rider I virtually wrote off stamped his authority all over this stage, being instrumental in a large breakaway and then doing his own stunning breakaway with 26km to go. He won from Romain Bardet, another of my "failures", by 1m35s with Alexey Lutsenko a further minute behind. Alaphillippe, thanks to a brilliant descent from Colibier, still holds a 1m30s lead over Egan Bernal and 1m35s over Geraint Thomas.Steven Kruikswijk and Thibault Pinot are close behind with Emmanuel Buchmann in 6th, only 2m14s behind the leader. The big winner today was Quintana, who is 3m54s off the lead. Another performance like today's might be enough to triumph, much against my expectations. One great advantage that Alaphillippe has is that the chasing pack are so busy fighting each other that he just has to keep aware of the moves and keep his cool. The fact there are no downhill finishes left will go aginst him though, but it's really too tight to call in the race to wrest the Yellow Jersey from him, a jersey that he's worn since 13 July.
Peter Sagan has an 85 point lead in the Green Jersey and just has to reach Paris to win. Romain Bardet has jumped into the lead for the Polka Dot Jersey by 12 points ahead of Tim Wellens and should stay there if he can repeat his performance on 1 of the next 2 days. Egan Bernal has extended his lead in the White Jersey to over 20 minutes over David Gaudu, but will be looking to mounting a serious challenge for the Yellow Jersey. Movistar consolidated their leading position over Trek-Segafredo in the Team competition.
Tomorrow the fun will really start in a shorter 126.5km stage with 5 mountains, nothing too difficult but a long hard slog, where fatigue might play it's part. Nobody in GC contention will want to give too much away, but will also be too scared to pass up a chance to make gains.
The rider I virtually wrote off stamped his authority all over this stage, being instrumental in a large breakaway and then doing his own stunning breakaway with 26km to go. He won from Romain Bardet, another of my "failures", by 1m35s with Alexey Lutsenko a further minute behind. Alaphillippe, thanks to a brilliant descent from Colibier, still holds a 1m30s lead over Egan Bernal and 1m35s over Geraint Thomas.Steven Kruikswijk and Thibault Pinot are close behind with Emmanuel Buchmann in 6th, only 2m14s behind the leader. The big winner today was Quintana, who is 3m54s off the lead. Another performance like today's might be enough to triumph, much against my expectations. One great advantage that Alaphillippe has is that the chasing pack are so busy fighting each other that he just has to keep aware of the moves and keep his cool. The fact there are no downhill finishes left will go aginst him though, but it's really too tight to call in the race to wrest the Yellow Jersey from him, a jersey that he's worn since 13 July.
Peter Sagan has an 85 point lead in the Green Jersey and just has to reach Paris to win. Romain Bardet has jumped into the lead for the Polka Dot Jersey by 12 points ahead of Tim Wellens and should stay there if he can repeat his performance on 1 of the next 2 days. Egan Bernal has extended his lead in the White Jersey to over 20 minutes over David Gaudu, but will be looking to mounting a serious challenge for the Yellow Jersey. Movistar consolidated their leading position over Trek-Segafredo in the Team competition.
Tomorrow the fun will really start in a shorter 126.5km stage with 5 mountains, nothing too difficult but a long hard slog, where fatigue might play it's part. Nobody in GC contention will want to give too much away, but will also be too scared to pass up a chance to make gains.
Cabbage is still good for you