Greig Leach

Against all odds, and literally everyone's predictions, three of the four from the early break (two who went from start to finish) actually vied for stage honors. With the fast closing sprinter led peloton almost on their wheels, Kasper Asgreen (Soudal-Quick Step) gave that much looked for stage win to his team. Bounding his bars in frustration was he crossed the line in second was Pascal Eenkhoorn (Lotto-Dstny). He was the one who Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was cross with some time ago. With Philipsen missing the catch and finishing fourth, I guess Eenkhoorn was able to thumb his nose at the Green Jersey. It was the other guy who had gone from the beginning of the stage, Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno-X) who claimed the last step of the podium. Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) finished out the top five with many of the other expected contenders for stage honors quite a bit further back. I guess tomorrow the sprinters will have to be even more vigilant if they want a stage win before the Champs Elysees on the final day of the Men's Tour de France. It is always a treat to see the break away succeed. But then I am a big fan of the underdog.