Well, that's a winner I'd forgotten existed, but the I remembered that he's won the race before. Hopefully an indication of a good Ardennes-campaign to come.

[–] Deschanel2027@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Always present to terrorise our little, defenceless races. The other ones, which stayed class 1 this year, were safe from Viking looters this year, but a .Pro race was too tempting for the horde. That's 2, 2 and 1 on the stages so far.

Spoiler Basque Country

But Cofidis had its revenge on the other side of the Pyrenees!

The young L'Hôte (🇫🇷 Décathlon), who didn't relay the others much after they caught him, declared that he felt a bit 'short' on his bike for the last lap, as his saddle had dropped a bit 😃

Bessega🇮🇹 did well for Polti. I feared that, as too often, Polti would disappear in the last mile after having very visible or active.

The splits + the various time bonuses built an interesting GC before the final stage:

Several favourites, like Costiou^1^ (🇫🇷 FDJ) are in the group at 17′, which has about 30 riders.

A pity the breakaway men wasted a lot of time in the last kilometre, they could have entertained more hopes for final GC if they hadn't.

note 1 : I mean, Costiou didn't impress me so far this year, he always seems a bit limited and unable to make a difference (his GC win in Bessèges is only thanks to the final TT); but he is generally listed among the favourites, is still in that 30 riders group, and finished 2^nd^ of the peloton today behind Strong🇳🇿, so he is not off the game yet.