Greig Leach

I learned today that the women only have one team car (instead of two like the men) following the race. This means their race mechanics can be a long, long way back. Yesterday's stage winner Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez-Futuroscope) was fortunate to have her teammate, Vittoria Guazzini, with her when she got a f;rat rear tire. The FDJ duo quickly swapped wheels and Ludwing got back into the race. Apparently, the mechanics had the foresight to supply each rider with the necessary allen wrench to pull the through axle to allow the wheel change to happen. Guazzine was helped shortly after getting her team leader back in the race by the Shimano neutral service moto. It was a bit frustrating for the duo to watch the Shimano car go past them. It has been a very chaotic stage with so much going on, the driver can be excused for not seeing Guazzini trying to wave them down. Ludwig just kept working on her bike. Time was of the essence.