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The brilliance of Van Aert and Jumbo-Visma
The coast of Cap Blanc-Nez was the last difficulty of the day.
The peloton was brought out of its torpor by the force of Jumbo-Visma who, in the sprint, destabilized the clan of favorites in the wake of Tiesj Benoot and propelled Wout Van Aert, the yellow jersey, projected alone towards the line.
After three second places, the versatile Belgian picks his first bouquet on this Tour, his 7th victory on the Grande Boucle (1 in 2019, 2 in 2020, 3rd in 2021).
Christophe Laporte (3rd) completing the success of the Dutch team.
A scout named Anthony Pérez
The Cofidis rider left as soon as the flag was lowered.
He benefited from the help of Dane Magnus Cort Nielsen, before going solo 45 km from the finish.
The rugged, exposed final was fatal to him but the Frenchman (taken back 11 km from the finish) was able, appropriately, to stand out.
A debauchery of effort rewarded with the prize for combativeness.
Cofidis has been waiting for a stage victory in the Tour de France since 2008.
Magnus Cort Nielsen, the repeat offender
At the initiative of a lightning start, Anthony Pérez saw the Dane Magnus Cort Nielsen (EF Education) appear behind him, who at the start of the Tour finds it hard to imagine living in the peloton.
He thus invited himself for a third breakaway in three stages in line.
The duo clocked 6'53'' with 84 km to go.
Driven by the desire to defend his polka dot jersey, the Dane, who has collected 8 out of 8 points in the exercise since leaving Copenhagen, once again showed off his mustache and his good humor at the head of the race.
It stands out as the essential of this start of the Tour.
FLOPS
The Platoon Senator Train
The steps follow each other and look alike.
Magnus Cort Nielsen in front and the peloton in the trailer.
The first part of the Tour (cobblestone stage, this Wednesday, included) scared the peloton.
So scared that the peloton retracted the obstacles.
To meet later.
Further away.
On more familiar grounds.
The playground had offered the ingredients for a spicy dish.
Served, it was cold, bland.
Fortunately, Jumbo-Visma and Van Aert lit up the finale.
The wind that forgets to blow
Already absent on the Great Belt bridge (2nd stage), the wind hid well.
It was blowing but not enough to allow the fans to unfold, the choreography of the edges to start its mechanics.
The peloton took the opportunity to spend a quiet day.
Before the acceleration 10 km from the finish and the take-off of Van Aert who hovered over the final.
Philipsen, the beaten sprinter
The Belgian Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin) settled the sprint for… 2nd place and howled his joy.
Forgetting that Wout Van Aert, escaped, had already raised his arms.
5th in the 2nd stage, 3rd in the 3rd stage, before finishing 2nd in Calais, Philipsen, at the end of a sprint full of strength and virtuosity to sneak past, showed that he was one of the strong men of this start of the Tour.
Not enough to get the win...