Greig Leach

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had spent most of the stage riding in service of the Maillot a Pois on the shoulders of his teammate Tim Wellens. Apparently, Wellens had given De Gendt the nod to go out on his own. De Gendt was either free to go for the stage, or he was trying to get the rest of the break to tire themselves chasing so that Wellens could mop up the rest of the King of the Mountains points. Behind the strong man from Belgium was the ever present Mavic moto reday to lend a wheel. I am sure the team car was staying behind with Wellens.