It was not easy for him to keep on going, yet he gathered all his resources to hold on to his position. Benjamin Thomas brightened up the afternoon for all those who watched the day's stage in the shade of the blazing sun. On the road itself, during one of the longest stages of this edition (202.5 km between Rodez and Carcassonne), the heat was overwhelming.
Thomas, #1 animator of the stage
The scenario of the stage seemed to be clear from the beginning: a breakaway before the finish and an explanation between the sprinters. Except that Benjamin Thomas decided to play his own game, shaking up the established order and taking his chances. It was on the Côte des Cammazes, with about 50 km to go, that he decided to make an attack. Followed by Alexis Gougeard, he reached the top of the climb.
Then, the rider from Tarn continued his attack and approached the finish line with the hope of winning. His self-sacrifice and courage, in the middle of the heat and under the spotlight, were impressive. And even if the peloton was getting close, even if the sprinters' teams reduced the gap (never more than 30 seconds), Benjamin held on. Hope was still present when he passed the red flag and it was only some 400 meters from the finish line that the peloton finally caught him.
Geschke keeps his polka dot jersey
With this exceptional solo ride, Benjamin - who won the Étoile de Bessèges and the Boucles de la Mayenne this year - once again demonstrated his talent and determination. His resistance and his will to give everything are in tune with the spirit of the Cofidis team, which aims to be opportunistic and take its chances every day. At the same time, Simon Geschke kept his polka dot jersey of best climber, he knew that he would not be challenged today.
The arrival in Carcassonne marks the end of the second week of competition. The riders will finally be able to enjoy a day of rest this Monday. There will be a bike ride, massages and sessions with the physiotherapist. A particularly valuable day before starting the last week of this Tour de France, with the Pyrenees on the program and then the prestigious finish at the Champs-Élysées in just one week.
