Greig Leach

Steve Cummings (Dimension Data) had bridged across to the leaders, dropped all of them and all but Julian Vermote (Etixx-Quickstep) of the leaders' group. Cummings usually goes solo to the line when he wins a stage, but he welcomed the help of Vermote in getting away from everyone else. The two quickly put forty seconds between themselves and the rest of those on the road. So with just three kilometers left to race the winner was sure to be one of these two. Spoiler alert! It was Vermote who had the legs on the final short climb to claim the win and the Yellow Jersey. Cummings held on for second and now sits second on the general classification. I wasn't satisfied (nor all that interested) in the victory salute as Vermote crossed the line, so this has to do for the painting of his win.