Greig Leach

With a stage that is ear marked for the sprinters, these four were playing against the odds to take the stage. But as Alexis Gougeard's (Ag2r La Mondiale) teammates motto states, "Take the risk or lose the chance." Joining the Frenchman in the most likely vain effort were two riders who seemed to have been in every break of this Vuelta, Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal) and Alessandero de Marchi (BMC). Sandwiched between those two was the other Frenchman, Arnaud Courteille (FDJ). It was a little odd not to see a Spaniard go for it on the long, hot stage to Sevilla.