TOPS
The Van der Poel-Philipsen duo. As in Bayonne on Monday, the Belgian Jasper Philipsen was able to rely on a wonderful pitcher, the Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel. The winner of Paris-Roubaix overtook the Alpecin-Deceuninck team sprinter at the right time before propelling him to the stage victory (ahead of Ewan, Bauhaus, Coquard and Cavendish). His 4th victory on the Tour gives him the green jersey. The 2nd this year, she could call others.
Coquard plays placed. Frustrated in Bayonne (91st), the sprinter of the Cofidis team wanted to turn the page. He was wary of the arrival on a circuit but he was able to sneak past, escape the traps and join the fight until the last moments. 4th at the finish. With an inflated confidence capital. See you on the next sprints of the edition.
The blue scouts. The stage was dozing when 86 km from the finish, the Normans Benoît Cosnefroy (AG2R-Citroën) and Anthony Delaplace (Arkéa-Samsic) put their noses out the window. To take a few meters, take the stage out of its torpor. The duo extended their effort without managing to widen a gap capable of upsetting the teams of sprinters on constant watch. The tandem was caught 25 km from the finish. Time to set up the sprint.
The final on the Nogaro circuit. The Tour has already experienced passages on the circuit, in Dijon in 1987 or at Spa-Francorchamps (one arrival in 1989, one passage in 2017). Circuits were also honored during the World Championships (at Zolder or Imola), at Paris-Nice (at Magny-Cours) or at a Tour de Provence (Paul Ricard). The arrival of the 4th stage of the Tour was judged at the Nogaro circuit renowned for its car, motorcycle and truck races. A stage circuit promised to sprinters. A case dedicated to speed. For an aesthetic and athletic wedding. 2.5 km with big curves before the final straight of 800 m. An unusual end, however, marked by three heavy falls.
FLOPS
The snail operation. The Tour kicked off with an opening weekend that quickly set the tone in the reliefs of the Spanish Basque Country. Taking advantage of a stage without difficulty, the peloton took the opportunity this Tuesday to take a nap. No commercial breakaway to liven up the parade. The runners stayed together for a long time. Applying to the letter, the watchword which was, on the eve of entering the Pyrenean passes, not to strip feathers. The idea that the stages of transition no longer exist has, for a day, been shattered.
Groenewegen far from the mark. 8th in Bayonne, the Dutch sprinter from Jayco training wanted to shine a light with the scheduled arrival of a new sprint. Dylan Groenewegen escaped the crashes that punctuated the lap of the circuit but he was surprised by the high-speed sequence of curves. In the straight line, he was unable to compete (14th at the finish).
Girmay back. The Eritrean (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) discovers the Tour. Preceded by a growing reputation. Stage winner on the Giro, winner of Gand-Wevelgem, he has proven his ability to express himself against the fastest. He discovers the Tour, the pressure that sticks to it, the difficulty of getting out. 11th in Bayonne (3rd stage), he had to settle for 20th place in Nogaro. Waiting for new opportunities in the sprint.