The general classification was reshaped on Thursday afternoon, at the end of one of this year's key stages.
After four days in which the sprinters took the spoils, the time trialists got their chance to shine at the 14th Tour of Britain, where a 16.2m-long stage against the clock, run over a flat and non-technical course, brought not only the specialists to the fore, but also the GC contenders, keen on gaining time and moving up in the overall standings ahead of the weekend.
Laurens De Plus – who recently was announced that he will take part in his first World Championships, as part of the Belgian ITT squad who will travel to Bergen – was Quick-Step Floors' highest-placed rider in Clacton, where Lars Boom (LottoNL-Jumbo) won, covering the course in 19:55, at an average speed of 48.8km/h.
Stage four winner Fernando Gaviria was the team's last man to roll down the ramp, and the the 23-year-old Colombian – third in the general classitication before the start – rode a steady pace, keeping in mind that on Friday the sprinters will have another opportunity to take the spoils, at the end of the 186.9km-long stage between Newmarket and Aldeburgh.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
