Greig Leach

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) had worn the Maillot a Pois of the King of the Mountains earlier in the Tour, back when the summits were awarding just a few points, awards that were in relationship with the size of the climb. On the first climb in Spain, De Gendt managed second over the top to Thibaut Pinot (FDJ). When the duo arrived at the summit of the Port del Canto, it was De Gendt getting the better of Pinot, The two went on to battle at the summit of each of the next two climbs, always vie for the points with Rafal Majka trying to mixed it up in an attempt to keep the Polka Dots on his own shoulders. If the three could stay away to the mountain top finish at Angorre Arcalis, the winner there would be the new King of the Mountains leader. An HC (Haute Catagorie) climb's maximum points are 25, but when the summit is also the finish line, the points are double. So while fighting for points on the way to the end of the stage is important, it is pretty much the case that whoever wins the last climb will also be the leader in the KOM competition. The caveat being that they need to have some points in the bank already.