If everything goes according to plan, then there should be another sprint again today. The stage is relatively flat, but the wind may be a problem. The region is famous for it sidewinds. I also hope that the rain won’t be as strong as forecast.

Unfortunately, Dries crashed heavily yesterday and had to leave the Tour. He suffered a concussion. Thank you Dries, you rode very strongly! And get well soon.

His task was to, along with Cheng, to hold the gap to escape groups steady and to close that gap. Now we have to rearrange things a bit.

By the way, I survived yesterday quite well. The favorites rode the first, 34-km long climb moderately, later I settled into the grupetto and came without haste into the finish. Of course it is not easy for anyone any more. We are nearly in the third week, you can tell that everyone is getting tired, slowly everyone is running out.

But we think positively and hope for a good sprint today.

Photo: roth-foto.de