It was a glorious day for Argos-Shimano neo-pro Warren Barguil, who took his first professional victory and immediately asserted himself as the new darling of French cycling. He escaped from a strong ten-man breakaway to take a solo victory, while Vincenzo Nibali held on to the leader’s jersey.
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Although the finish looks like one for the sprinters, they will have to get over the vicious Alto del Rat Penat and then deal with an uphill finish. Perhaps equally likely, this may be a day for a successful breakaway given what is to come over the next three days.
This 100th Tour continues to astound and thrill in equal measure. On a seemingly innocuous day containing one fourth-category hill, a combination of crosswinds and aggressive riding by Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Belkin and Saxo-Tinkoff shook up the GC, destroyed the hopes of Alejandro Valverde and recouped much of the gains made by Chris Froome in Wednesday’s time trial. Mark Cavendish‘s second victory was a footnote on a day of rare drama. For those who thought the race was over: think again.