Greig Leach

The final twists and turns had caught out a few of the riders on their way to the line. Fortunately for Fabio Aru (Astana) he wasn't one of those that smacked into the barriers. Aru road a blistering pace that earned him third on the day and solidified his seventh overall. Aru has been showing why the Astana has been putting this much confidence in the young Italian. He has proven to be a fitting replacement for team leader since Vincenzo Nibali didn't feel that he could pull off the double of the winning the Giro d'Italia (he did) and the Tour de France (he won't). Up until Nairo Quintana took the Tour by storm 4 years ago, I don't think I even knew what the Colombian flag looked like. Now I have seen it all along the roadside of this Tour, every stage, every day. The Colombian fans are not being treated to a great Tour by Quintana, but Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) has sure stepped into the breach.