Greig Leach

Greg Van Avermaet (BMC) surprised everyone yesterday by actually extending his lead on the main GC rivals instead of surrendering the Maillot Jaune as expected. Today however, the wings given to those wearing yellow seem to have flown elsewhere. The opening of the first hour of the stage covered 31 miles an unbelievable pace with the four climbs facing the peloton in the final two thirds of the stage. At the base of the Col du Tourmalet (an HC climb) Van Avermaet had to swap bikes, not sure why, but as he swung his leg over is back up steed, the lack of yellow handlebar tape may well have been an omen for the rest of his day.