XRG attacked on the final climb, was caught by Jonas Vingegaard, and when a group including Mathieu van der Poel came back, it seemed set up for the yellow jersey wearer. However, his legs gave out in the uphill sprint,

Dutchman gracious in defeat to 'stronger' World Champion in Rouen, expects time trial in Caen to be final day in maillot jaune

The Visma-Lease a Bike team of Jonas Vingegaard were the protagonists, with several contenders for the overall classification — including Remco Evenepoel — distanced as the echelons formed. That main part of the peloton, which also contained Primoz Roglic and Geraint Thomas, ended up losing 49 seconds to the stage winner.