Bocagar announced to Fox that he would attack every climb on the stage with two first-class climbs, and he kept his word.
The Slovenian attacked at Port de Lers, 50 kilometers from the end. Not once, but twice. Back in descent. But Jonas Vingegaard was not deterred and was soon at the wheel of the descending white jersey. Other classifiers returned with a few workers.
Above North America
They were no longer competing with the favorites for the stage win, as it went between the remnants of the extensive escape group. Wout van Aert was with us in the green jersey, but it seemed to be mainly at the service of Vingegaard. At the start of the steep Mur de Péguère, he and his team, including bulb man Simon Geschke, were a minute behind the leader.
That leader is Israeli-Canadian Hugo Houle of Premier Tech. This was followed by six others, including Michael Storer, Damiano Caruso, Mateo Jorgensen, Valentin Madovas, Tony Galopin and teammate Michael Woods. Hull held a half-minute lead over Moore: countryman and teammate Woods and Movistar-American Jorgensen.
When the American descended, it was known that victory on the stage would go to a Canadian from the Israeli-premier deck, but Woods now did not have to defend his countryman’s flight and could therefore go all out himself.
But Hull had a much better pedigree, and Jorgensen also returned to Woods. This gave Hull his second stage win of the Israel-Premier Tech (to Simon Clarke in the first Copestone stage). Madovas
Classification Chess with men
In the group of favourites, Rafal Majka immediately obliged on behalf of the United Arab Emirates at Murr’s start. Only Bocacar, Wingegard, Gus and Quintana could follow. Some of the men rejoined, but when Majka had a material breakdown, Kuss took command and there were four of them again.
Bhogar kept his powder dry and did not attack Mur after losing Majka. From the background, Daniel Felipe Martinez, Van Aert and Brandon McNulty waited for their leaders. Geraint turned to Pedigree with the help of Thomas Martinez.
The tactical chess match between Jumbo-Wizma and the UAE teams ended in a draw, as nothing else happened in the kilometers descending to Faix (except that Gaudu was still unattached). Returning from the back, Madovas raced into second place.
Driven by results FirstCycling.com
Tomorrow’s show features a short but intense mountain stage. Three first-class and one second-class goals await in 129 kilometers. The finish is uphill and the last kilometers of the climb to Beygudez are very steep. Again, the view has all the ingredients.
