Greig Leach

The early break away finally got established and set about working together to build a three and a half minute lead over the following peloton. At this point Franck Bonnamour (Decathlon-Ag2r-Mondale) was slipping off the front as the veteran Simon Gerschler (Cofidis) prepares to take over the pace making duties for the seven allies. Behind Geschke is Jacopo Mosca (Lidl-Trek). Maurice Ballerstedt (Alpecin-Deceuninck) had finished his turn on front and was sliding to the back to get a bit of rest before rolling through again. Later Ballerstedt stopped taking turns and just hung onto the back of the group, perhaps feeling the kilometers they had already ridden this week building up in his legs.