Greig Leach

Magnus Cort (EF Education-EasyPost) strengthened his hold on the Maillot a Pois by taking the first five category 4 climbs in the first stage on French soil. In doing so he set a new record winning the first 11 climbs of a Tour de France. Neither I nor the TV cycling pundits can conceive of that record ever being broken. After attempting to take the first climb of the day, Anthony Perez (Cofidis) decided to let Cort have his day. The pay back was letting Perez take the intermediate sprint, and to go on solo in hopes of winning the Most Combative award for the stage. With the peloton closing quickly in hopes of setting up a bunch sprint, it was unlikely that either will still be away to take the final climb of the day.