Greig Leach

First, this post should have become before the previous on featuring Julian Alaphilippe. It is never a question of if Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) will go on a solo break in hopes of a stage win, it is only a question of when. As the lead peloton crested the final climb of the day, the Col du Peyronnenc, De Gendt took advantage of a easing of the pace to launch his attack. With about 50 kilometers of general downhill (and flat) roads to go it was possible that this breakaway specialist could hold off the peloton. However, he would need them to decide on having reached their goals for the day. And for Peter Sagan to be willing to sprint for minor placings and adding fewer points to his tally in his quest for his eighth Maillot Vert, neither were even close to a sure thing.