Greig Leach

The open flat roads of Normandy combined with the winds off of the Atlantic and the English Channel, provided the peloton with yet another element to contend with. The race course had the riders switching direction almost constantly. A few like Borut Bozic (Cofidis) and Jan Polanc (Lampre-Merida) were caught out by a strong crosswind and the acceleration of the front end of the peloton. These eight or ten riders were left scrambling to catch back onto the fast disappearing tail of the leaders. They could take comfort in knowing that the road was sure to change direction yet they could ill afford to lully-gag in hopes of it all coming back together.