Greig Leach

Today's stage was going to be about to things, a flat run to Montpellier and the strong cross winds of Provence. Perhaps wanting to show the tricolore jersey of the French National Champion or maybe just to see if the peloton wasn't paying attention, Arthur Vichot (FDJ) went out on the attack, catching onto the wheel of the Australian on the Swiss team, Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling). The duo went out into the exposed roads and flat fields of the south of France on what should be a sprinter's stage. The only chance they might have to carry their lead all of the way to Montpellier is that the peloton were disrupted by crashes (God forbid) or that the winds play such havoc that those behind forgot about those out front. Neither scenario was very likely.