Greig Leach

The narrow roads and the steep climb at the end of a long flat stage, combined with some very tired legs to cause another pile up of carbon, flesh and spandex. A number of teams were caught out in the delay or like Team Sky, scrambling to provide their riders with enough replacement bikes to get back underway. One rider wasn't able to get back on his bike, Stig Broeckx (Lotto Soudal). The Ethiopian National Champion, Tsgabu Grmay (Lampre) took the opportunity to stretch out his back while he waited for the road to clear. Other caught behind the log jam of bicycles included Fabio Aru and most of Astana, along with the current holder of the Red Sprinter's Jersey, Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek Factory Racing). These delays are one of the reasons the GC men want to be near the front of the peloton, one never knows when the clock is going to count against you.