Greig Leach

The first of the two HC Catagory climbs was the Col d'Izoard. Julian Bernard (Trek-Segafredo) looked set to take the maximum points having led the whole way up the climb. Sadly for him, it was the sprint of Damiano Caruso (Bahrain Merida) and Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) that swamped him within side of the summit. Caruso got the points, with Bardet going over second, leaving third for Bernard. Bardet has not been having the Tour he hoped for, but moving closer to the Maillot a Pois, should certainly raise his spirits. If possible, it will raise the spirits of the French fans as well. This is truly the Tour of the French!