Greig Leach

Julian Alaphilippe (Quickstep) was unable to go with the big accelerations from the domestiques of Sergio Henao (Sky) and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo). He quickly lost contact with the main peloton and had his faithful assistant, David de la Cruz to help him limited his losses. Alaphilippe could take some comfort from knowing that his teammate Dan Martin was still hanging tough with the heads of the climbing state. He can find further comfort in realizing that while he may not keep the Maillot Jaune, he will be holding the Maillot Blanc since the next closes in that classification has already been dropped. Joining the Quickstep duo, but not offering any assistance, were Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) and Diego Ulissi (UAE Abu Dhabi). Ulissi had been on the front of the race at the bottom of the climb, but just couldn't hold onto the peloton as it sped past.