Published on : 07/15/2023
During this stage, undoubtedly one of the toughest of the Tour de France, the riders from the Nordiste outfit were hard at work. Simon Geschke and Guillaume Martin were part of the day's breakaway. The Normand stayed with them right up to the final climb, finishing 10th and best Frenchman. Guillaume is now 12th overall. To continue his ascent, he'll have to redouble his efforts in what promises to be a Dantesque stage!
The fight to get into the breakaway is becoming almost habitual. And this Saturday was no exception, despite the series of difficulties between Annemasse and Morzine (151.8 km). The breakaway formed on the ascent to the 2nd col, the Col de Cou. Among the riders in the breakaway was Simon Geschke. This is the 1st breakaway in the Tour for Simon, who wore the polka-dot jersey for nine stages last year.
Guillaume Martin, best Frenchman of the day
On the Col de Jambaz, Guillaume Martin joined the breakaway group. The rider from Normandy took 4th place in the intermediate sprint at the summit of the pass, before keeping pace with the frontrunners. The Norman rider hung on for a long time, holding on behind the favourites before the Col de Joux Plane, before being distanced. At the finish, he crossed the line in 10th place, 5 min 57 sec behind the winner, Carlos Rodriguez, making him the best Frenchman of the day. This was enough to help him climb back up the overall rankings: he is now in 12th place, 16 min 50 behind yellow jersey Jonas Vingegaard.
Tomorrow's stage promises to be just as spectacular and demanding. The 179 km stage between Les Gets and Saint-Gervais includes five cols, three of which are first category! Quite a task before finally enjoying a well-deserved 2nd rest day.
THEY SAID
Bingen Fernandez, sporting director: "We knew it was going to be tough, but we didn't expect a fight from the start of the stage. UAE wanted to toughen up the race quickly. It was a great spectacle for the spectators, but a tough physical effort for the riders. We know that Guillaume is expected to be the best Frenchman overall, but that's not how we see it. It's a popular classification, but we're racing as hard as we can to try and win, and we start every day with that in mind. Today, Guillaume rode well, but the race configuration was not favorable to the team. Nevertheless, he showed that he was there; at the start of the stage, when he took part in the breakaway, and on the climb to the Col de Joux Plane at the finish.