Ruben Plaza Molina took his first Tour de France stage win in Gap yesterday winning by 30 seconds from a charging Peter Sagan. Molina attacked on the climb up the Col de Manse and gained around a minute on Sagan and the rest of the breakaway. Despite Sagan's fantastic descending skills this gap proved to be enough for Molina to hold off Sagan on the steep and tricky descent, so once gain Peter had to settle for second place. He does, however, now have a comfortable lead in the Green Jersey competition with 406 points to André Griepel's 316.
Geraint Thomas had a very lucky escape on the descent when Warren Barguil went into Thomas pushing him off the road and into a telegraph post. For a short while I feared the worst as Thomas's head appeared to hit the post at a fair speed. Fortunately Thomas' head must be stronger than the post as he was soon back on his bike and finished just 38 seconds behind the main GC contenders and holds onto his 6th place overall.
Vincenzo Nibali attacked at the top of the Col de Manse and gained 28 seconds on Chris Froome and the other GC contenders. However, he is still 7.49 down on Froome. Tony Gallopin lost time, fell out of the Top 10 and Warren Barguil is now the leading Frenchman.
Today is a doubtless very welcome rest day for the riders but the Alps beckon!
No comments:
Post a Comment