Enormous effort by Cannondale. Green Jersey competition is all but over bar Sagan not finishing.
Also love to know what EBH was doing, he was all over the shop in the sprint, given they fined Chavanel for 'eating in a way that damages the image of cycling' he might come under a bit of scrutiny for the way he acted in the sprint to the line if the referees are being that trivial.
I thought he was going to fall, from the head on.Also love to know what EBH was doing, he was all over the shop in the sprint, given they fined Chavanel for 'eating in a way that damages the image of cycling' he might come under a bit of scrutiny for the way he acted in the sprint to the line if the referees are being that trivial.
He got himself boxed in, then forced a gap only to find himself behind a Cannondale rider and boxed in again. His line wasn't the best, and we're lucky everyone stayed up. I hope he brought some Swiss Francs with him...
I thought he was going to fall, from the head on.
One look from above and it seems he didn't have much luck.
I took it he was hampered by the last of the Cannondale train, then Gallopin took his line, forcing him into the Garmin falla.
That was just from one look, but I didn't think there was much else he could do.
We've all done it.4km to go, looks like my roundabout technique has been pinched.
Loved that yesterday, Omega absolutely nailed that train. When they got a bit swamped at about 1.5 km to go it looked real bad for them, but then the fourth man in the train came through and dragged them back through. Then again a bit swamped and Trentin pulled them through again, superb stuff. Steegmans (or is it Stegemans ) could have won it himself he was going so fast, many sprinters would have struggled to come round that lead out.
Cav back in the green jersey race too now, I know the ITV boys think 35 points is a lot, but that is only one sprint win where Sagan doesn't pick anything up, or Cav first Sagan 5th twice. We know now that Cannondale are not strong enough to bring the breaks back on the medium stages so Sagan will not be winning a huge haul on those days like we expected initially. I think it will go right to the line, my prediction is Cav will need to win on Champs Elysee, and Sagan will need 4th or better, which he will get.
I'm not convinced the gloves will come off just yet - 2 weeks is a long time to defend the jersey, and there's plenty of climbing left. I see a break surviving today....