Greig Leach

Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis) jumped clear of the peloton on the climb of the Cote des Commazes to grap the King of the Mountain points mainly to help defend his teammate Simon Geschke's lead in the competition for the Maillot a Pois. Going over the top, he was joined by Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM). The two built up a 22 second lead on the chasing peloton with just 30 kilometers left to race. Thomas looked over at Gougeard to ask if he thought this attempt had any real chance of succeeding. Although, not long after, Thomas attacked his fellow Frenchman and set off on his own. It wasn't until inside the final kilometer of the day that the peloton caught him without any mercy. Still I am sure he was award the red bib number of most combatative rider of the stage.