TOPS
The flash of Izaguirre, the double of Cofidis. As in 2008 (Samuel Dumoulin, Sylvain Chavanel), the northern team offers itself a double on the Tour. After Victor Lafay (in San Sebastian, 2nd stage), the Spaniard won alone in Belleville-en-Beaujolais. After Pello Bilbao in Issoire (10th), Ion Izaguirre (stage winner on the 2016 Tour in Morzine; stage winner on the three big tours) signed the 2nd Basque victory of this Tour. He was able to rely on the tremendous work of his teammate Guillaume Martin (7th) who effectively protected his escape.
Mathieu Van der Poel, entrepreneurship. Extinguished, set back, on arrival at Moulins (11th stage, Wednesday), the Dutchman (Alpecin-Deceuninck), officially with a cold, had carefully prepared his rebound. He placed a sharp attack 47 km from the finish to propel himself into the lead of the race. At 1.6 km from the top of the Croix Rosier floor, its large carcass sat down again. The hope of a second stage victory on the Tour (after Mûr-de-Bretagne in 2021) had just vanished. Awarded the Combativeness Award.
Thibaut Pinot, the pretty close. The climber from the Groupama-FDJ team is living his last Tour. He has in mind to have fun and he does. Well placed in the breakaway, he maneuvered well. The legs are there. 6th in the stage, he performed a spectacular close in the general classification (10th at 31” from David Gaudu). A performance completed by the beautiful day of the French Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) who rose to 13th place in the general classification (8’11” from Jonas Vingegaard) and Mathieu Burgeaudeau (TotalEnergies), 2nd in Belleville-en-Beaujolais (the second 2nd place for the TotalEnergies team, after that of Pierre Latour at the top of Puy-de-Dôme).
The scenario of a new frenzied day. After the crazy stage between Vulcania and Issoire (10th, this Tuesday), the 12th again set off at a hellish pace with a long breakaway to take shape and many movements launched, built, countered before seeing a group of 11 break away after 81 km led to a hell of a train. Then the spirits and the rhythm calmed down (a little).
FLOPS
Julian Alaphilippe, a (new) blow for nothing. The puncher of the Soudal-Quick Step team once again distinguished himself. He was able, in extremis, to come back in the breakaway, before paying for his efforts. Finally dropped in the Col de la Croix Montmain, 43 km from the finish. Another frustrating day. So near, so far…
Jumbo-Visma’s loss of energy. The Belgian Tiesj Bennot was in the good breakaway. After the efforts made during the stage to break away from Wout Van Aert. The Jumbo-Visma team supposed to defend the interests of the yellow jersey has once again not been sparing in its efforts. A sin of pride? The Dutch team could pay for this debauchery in the coming days with the rich program that awaits the peloton.
