Greig Leach

Most every stage a group will break free of the grasp of the peloton in the early kilometers and today was no exception. This quartet that included Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies), Jonas Abrahamsen (Uno X-Mobility), Vincenzo Albanese (EF Education-EasyPost) and Quentin Pacher (Groupama-FDJ) built up a three-minute lead on the peloton before those behind decided that was plenty. As they got closer to the intermediate sprint point the sprinter's teams in the peloton ramped up the pace in hopes of getting to sprint for the maximum points on offer. They didn't make it. This breakaway proved too strong for those behind to catch by the time they all reached Roche Saint Secret Beconne. Will they be strong enough to keep away all of the way to the finale in Valence?