The Pyrenees stage began with a false start when the race was forced to halt after protesters attempted to block the road. After the restart, a break was formed with Andrea Pasqualon. The peloton did not let go and eventually a group of more than forty riders was formed after two hours of competition. Guillaume Martin made the jump to the head of the race and found Marco Minnaard in front. The successive climbs of Portet d'Aspet, Menté and Portillon led to a selection in front. Martin started the last climb with the front riders and finished in 12th position in Bagneres-de-Luchon, just behind the white jersey Pierre Latour. In the GC the 25-year-old Frenchman moves up to the 15th position.
Guillaume Martin:
"I had a good day, that brought me closer in the general classification. I had better legs, which are still not exceptional. I miss one or two percent to compete for the stage victory, but it is rather encouraging compared to the riders who do not race for the general classification. I stay focused every day and pay for this at the end of the stage."
"We are fighting in friendship for the white jersey with Pierre Latour! We both have the same level and we have set up an alliance to get time on Bernal, who is superior in the mountains. Today I attacked and Pierre followed me. At this moment nobody of us is able to drop the other rider."
"I am afraid of tomorrow because a short stage is not really my specialty. I will need a good warm up, but I have the advantage of knowing the terrain. I explored the stage in June with my teammates during a training camp in the Pyrenees. It is up to me to take advantage of it, even though it will be necessary to dose my energy consumption during the short stage. "
ASO stage summary:
Julian Alaphilippe of Quick Step Floors took the first Pyrenean stage one week after he claimed his maiden Tour de France victory on the first day in the Alps. He extended his lead in the King of the Mountain classification while Geraint Thomas retained the yellow jersey.
Check back tomorrow for more from inside the peloton at the 2018 Tour de France.
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