Greig Leach

Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) had taken most of the descent off of the Montee de Bisanne, gone across the valley and started up Mont Blanc all on his own. He must have been feeling like the stage would be his. At least until Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) showed up on his wheel. Costa looked back over his shoulder seemingly saying, "I am not happy to see you." Bardet had started the day sitting fifth overall, but he wanted more. Plus, the French had yet to take a stage in their home Tour and there aren't to many more days to make that happen. Bardet got a little help due to the carnage of crashes from the wet high speed descents. Just like Bardet, most of the men in the Tour were looking to improve their overall positions, and were willing to take risks to make it happen. Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) had gone off the road into the woods on the Col de Domancy, then taking even more risks to get back on, he crashed again. The twin crashes meant that his second place was now up for grabs and Bardet was hoping to make it his.