The Alps are glimpsed and several cyclists are drawn a smile. The mountain and the long climbs arrive and the climbers' faces light up. And also to the Spanish adventurers, those who need toughness to shine, to get into the breakaway, to be able to fight for victories. For the first time, the escape succeeded. This time neither Pogacar nor Van Aert knocked down the illusions of the middle class. And there were four Spaniards, four of the nine there are. And five French. But the bell did not ring. The win at Châtel went to Bob Jungels, the only remaining entrant from his small country.
The Luxembourger from Ag2r was the smartest and the strongest to open Les Portes du Soleil. He was the first to attack in the 21 that formed the advance guard and as usually happens in these cases it worked for him. He opened a hole that they couldn't cut out. And it ended up frustrating two countries. Luxembourg hasn't won a stage on the Tour since 2011 with Andy Schleck.
Pinot, one of France's national heroes, was hot on his heels at the last port. He cut him more than a minute and a half in the Pas de Morgins. He approached her at 25 seconds. But the port softened when he already had it in sight. With less slope, Jungels was able to bring out the wheeler characteristics of him. Pinot, who is not the best downhiller, could no longer lay hands on the head of the race.
Behind came Jonathan Castroviejo (Ineos) and Carlos Verona (Movistar), two gregarious who rarely have to try to have a day of glory. They are not as explosive as Pinot and could not follow him through the two changes of pace. But at their own pace, collaborating well, the two Spaniards (more solid than Ion Izaguirre and Luis León Sánchez, who were also on the run) never lost face in the race, they did not disengage. They crowned thirty seconds behind the Frenchman and caught him on the last slope to end up playing for second place, which went to the Basque.
In the group of favourites, Pogacar waited until the end to try to surprise the sprint. Vingegaard arrived welded to his wheel and reaches the second day of rest with 39 seconds lost. Instead, Thomas, Yates, Mas and Roglic could not with the final acceleration of the leader and lost three more seconds.
