The French call them "baroudeurs", those riders who are not so fast to sprint and not even so strong to compete on climbs: authentic pedal "adventurers" whose only chance of victory is entrusted to trying every time to enter the right breakaway . But in today's cycling, successful escapes are increasingly rare. But when Thomas De Gendt is unleashed, who is the most formidable baroudeur around, the feat is always possible. And yesterday's was truly extraordinary with the Belgian on the run for almost 200 kilometres, first with three adventure companions – Terpstra, Kung and De Marchi – then together with the Italian until he resisted alone in the final in the furious pursuit of the couple which is making the French dream: Julian Alaphilippe, back in the yellow jersey, and Thibaut Pinot, who had left the best group in the lurch on the last "cote".
“A Merckx Venture”, defined it by Riccardo Magrini, a former cyclist and today a popular Eurosport commentator. De Gendt is one of the most assiduous promoters of breakaways in the great stage races: most of them fail but having an edge over many others, he is also capable of unforgettable victories such as the one on the Stelvio in the 2012 Giro, the one won by surprise by the Canadian Ryder Hesjedal on Rodriguez in which De Gendt finished third on the podium thanks to the breakaway on that memorable day for him. De Gendt impressed but he was not the only one to embellish a beautiful and exciting stage: the finale of Alaphilippe and Pinot was class and adrenaline together. A combination that on the eve of national holiday of the “Quatorze Juillet” it has unleashed the enthusiasm of the French who never like this year feel in the game to win back the Tour which has not seen a transalpine in the yellow jersey in Paris for 34 years.
The standings a few days before the exam in the Pyrenees sees Alaphilippe back in the yellow jersey and Pinot earning precious 28" over Thomas, Bernal and the other big names, thanks also to the bonuses for second place 6" behind De Gendt and for the 2" obtained at the last Gpm. Complicated stage for Thomas who fell together with other Ineos teammates and who had to spend a lot of energy to get back into the group. Perhaps also for this reason he was unable to react to Alaphilippe's burning outburst to which only Pinot responded brilliantly. With the group of Thomas, Bernal, Quintana there was also Ciccone who, if he lost the yellow jersey, still confirmed that he was there.
On the Pyrenees up will better understand what role the rider from Abruzzo can play who is now the only Italian in the quarters of the standings after the debacle of Nibali, who broke out on the last "cote" arriving at the finish line together with Bettiol 4'25" from De Gendt . Lo Squalo fell in the standings to 28th place at 6'18” from Alaphilippe. New classification that sees Ciccone – white jersey for best young rider – drop to second place 23” from the yellow jersey while Pinot rises to third at 53” with a 19” advantage over Geraint Thomas and 23” over Bernal.
