Greig Leach

The Belgium team, Quickstep, knew that there would be strong cross winds when the peloton hit the flats by the sea as they neared Calgiari. Six members of the team hit the front, used half of the road, and drove the pace as fast as they could possibly go. By limiting the amount of road, they limited the ability of those behind to shelter from the wind. Initially, the Maglia Rosa of Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) was able to make the front group when the splits appeared, but his lucked failed him at the most crucial of times. Only three other riders that were not members of Team Quickstep were able to stay in the front group. Both Fernando Gaviria and Bob Jungels had a lot to gain on the day. Gaviria was racing for the stage (although a win may give him the Maglia Rosa as well) and Jungels was gaining time on his GC rivals.