Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) took his second Tour de France victory this year, the fifth in his career, after he managed to fend off his rival Sam Bennett (Deceuninck-Quick Step) in a tight sprint finish in Poitiers. Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) continued his yellow odyssey from the Atlantic Coast to the centre of France.
LADAGNOUS AWAY FROM THE GUN
163 riders took the start of stage 11 at Châtelaillon-Plage. 1 non-starter: Davide Formolo (UAE Team Emirates). Matthieu Ladagnous (Groupama-FDJ) attacked as soon as the go ahead was given and made more than five minutes lead for himself at km 18 as the peloton didn’t react. Oliver Naesen (AG2R-La Mondiale), Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe), Tom Van Aesbroeck (Israel Start-Up Nation) and Michael Gogl (NTT) counter attacked at km 20. Deceuninck-Quick Step wasn’t pleased with the composition of this group made of strong rouleurs who could threaten the much anticipated scenario of a bunch gallop. They were brought back ten kilometres further. Therefore, Ladagnous’ advantage was down to 1’ at km 31 but it went back up as soon as the peloton was all together again.
LADAGNOUS, THE LONGEST SOLO BREAKAWAY THIS YEAR
Ladagnous took the only KOM point up for grabs at côte des Cherveux, km 91. He also passed the intermediate sprint alone in the lead 1’45’’ before Bennett who extended his lead over Sagan in the points classification. Ladagnous became the author of the longest solo breakaway so far on the 107th Tour de France with more than 120km in the lead before he got caught 43km before the end. After Gregor Mühlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) who quit the Tour due to sickness, Ion Izagirre (Astana) abandoned after crashing at Lavausseau with 29km to go.
CALEB EWAN MAKES IT TWO
Lukas Pöstlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe) attacked with 7km to, rejoined by Kasper Asgreen and Bob Jungels (Deceuninck-Quick Step). It was all together again with 2km to go. It was another tight finish between Ewan and Bennett while Sagan fought elbow to elbow with Wout van Aert on the right hand side. Photo-finish was needed to determine that Ewan took his second stage win while Primoz Roglic retained the yellow jersey for the third straight day.
