Greig Leach

I didn't think the finish could get harder to call then yesterday, but here it is today. Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) closed fast on the fading sprinters. He was able to utilize his smaller stature to fly up the hill, whereas those like Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quickstep) had to rely on their bigger engines to overcome their bigger scale. Right at the line, Kittel and Coquard locked shoulders, but the stronger Kittel was able to power through the contact taking the victory by the very narrowest of margins. Coquard was amongst it yesterday claiming third on the stage, today he moved up one better. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) went to early for the uphill climb and faded away to 5th on the stage. On the right of the painting you can see the tricolore kit of the French National Champion, Arthur Vichot (FDJ). On the left, Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) tried to defend his Maillot Vert, but in the end surrenders it back to Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) who finished fourth on the day. Since Sagan is still in Yellow, Cavendish will head to the start line tomorrow still in green. Tomorrow, though, does not look like a day for the sprinters, it will be time for the climbers and puncheurs to show their stuff.