Greig Leach

Perhaps now the peloton will recognize that Simon Greschke (Giant Alpecin) can climb. With a massive solo effort and a furious descent up and down the Col d'Allos, Greschke claimed the first stage win for Giant-Alpecin atop the Pra Loup. His team had been counting on their sprinter, John Degenkolb to bring home the victories in the sprinter's stages, but instead it was Degenkolb who helped Greschke in the early break that allowed for the stage victory. It was an incredible effort to get up the final climb, so much so that race organizers had people station to catch riders as the crossed the line in total exhaustion.