The sky was dark this morning in Castelnau-Magnoac. On the Tour de France, we are less worried about a few drops than we are about the mountain stages: today's stage seemed to return to normal state, with the expected sprinters in the lead. Gone are the Pyrenees and the repetitive efforts they demanded. At Cofidis, the fight to keep the polka dot jersey has inevitably accentuated the fatigue after 18 stages.
Simon Geschke found back the polka-dot jersey: even if he is no longer leader of this classification, he is wearing it instead of Jonas Vingegaard, who is already wearing the yellow jersey. In front of the cameras before the start, the German said: "I knew that the challenge would be particularly difficult. We tried, we were highly motivated and we were close. One day you score points without making an effort, another day you have to fight and you can't do it... It's part of what the Tour de France is, what sport is.”
Still as united as ever
On the sunburned roads leading to Cahors (188.3 km), the Cofidis riders stayed in the peloton. Their bodies had already suffered too much. At one point, they were even caught by a split. But as always, they supported each other: Simon Geschke, Anthony Pérez and Benjamin Thomas took over to get back into the peloton. A few minutes later, it was Pierre-Luc Périchon who tried his luck at the front of the pack this time, followed by Benjamin Thomas who finished 56 seconds behind the race leader.
Tomorrow, the 2nd time-trial of this Tour de France will take place between Lacapelle-Marival and Rocamadour. On the program, a 40,7 km long race that will be particularly demanding. The riders will then be able to make a pause: this Sunday, they will be able to celebrate the end of the Tour de France on the Champs-Élysées.
