Greig Leach

Very early into the stage the French Champion, Valentin Madouas (Grouipama-FDJ) had a problem with his bike. Since the peloton was flying up the road trying to prevent anyone getting into a break away, it seem prudent to simply swap out his bike. Bastille Day is the single most important day for a Frenchman to win a stage of the Tour, and how much more special would it be for the national champion to raise his arms in victory in the tricolore jersey. Given the one Haute Catagorie climb to the finish line, it was going to take some special legs to claim such an honor for anyone. And sadly I just haven't seen that kind of prowess on the mountains that today is going to require. Plus it could well be a day that the leaders of the Tour fight it out to gain time one on the other.