The longest stage delivered the smallest of winning margins. Sheer power in a frantic finale finally delivered a win for Marcel Kittel and Etixx-QuickStep. The powerful German went shoulder to shoulder with fast finishing Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) on a real brute of an uphill drag into Limoges. Time stood still as Marcel kept the power on, Bryan rocked and rolled, and both collapsed to the ground as they waited for the photo finish result. Sprint finishes don’t come much better than this. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) finished third to retain the yellow jersey and grab back the green from Mark Cavendish.
