Greig Leach

From the drop fo the flag that starts the stage Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) went on the attack in search of more points for his Maillot a Pois. He was joined by only one other rider, Laurent Pichon (Arkea-Samsc). As they were climbing the second climb of the day the Cote de Milloi, Powless pointed out that Pichon had a problem with his rear wheel. It turned out that something was stuck to the tire and Pichon used his water bottle to knock it off. There have been tacks thrown out onto the course for two stages thus far, fortunately they haven't cause any crashes yet. It does help that most teams have sealents in their tires nowadays. Least you think that Powless is being overly sporting, it is in his best interest to keep his break away companion with him. Together it will be easier to hold off the peloton. I doubt that Powless thought he would be allowed to be off the front this far into the stage, but as long as there isn't a hard chase he might as well keep adding to his KOM tally.