Greig Leach

Today is Bastille Day so it is no surprise that the French are eager to do well on the climb up the Grand Colombier. Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) on a French team had an eight second advantage over those closest to him and another three and three quarter minutes on the peloton. The French cycling fans (many shirtless in the heat) were thrilled to see one of their own first on the early slopes of this Hellish climb. With another fourteen kilometers seemingly straight up, it was going to take something special to stay off the front, but nothing ventured, nothing gained.