With the GC still largely in recovery mode, today’s stage screamed breakaway victory. A spot of early echelon action on the 188km across the Massif Central to the tough uphill finish in Mende resulted in a mass breakout with a massive time gap. Cue two spectacular finales. The stage was won with exquisite timing by Omar Fraile (Astana) who flew up the last climb to overhaul lone escapee Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), who finished third. Second place went to KOM leader and Quick-Stepper Julian Alaphilippe, who left his charge for the line a tad too late. Jumble Bee Primoz Roglic emerged best of the GC contenders, gaining a handful of seconds on race leader Geraint Thomas (Sky), though the overall remains unchanged.
