On the toughest stage of the race, the 23-year-old got involved in the sprint and nabbed another top 10 finish.
Heavy rain, slippery roads, relentless climbs and crazy speeds, all these turned the penultimate leg of the Tour of Britain into a real ordeal for many riders, who had difficulties in the final 30 kilometers of the day when the race was brought to life by several attacks, one of which was launched by Quick-Step Floors' Philippe Gilbert, whose acceleration made an important selection in the group.
Then, on the final hill, Laurens De Plus attacked and opened a gap together with four other riders, building a 12-second lead as they headed into the final five kilometers. Unfortunately, bad luck struck on a right-hand bend, where Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale-Drapac) crashed and took Laurens with him to the ground. With two men out of the group, the three riders left in the front couldn't fend off the charge of the bunch and they got overhauled ahead of the final kilometer.
Maximiliano Richeze again protected and brought Fernando Gaviria to the front on the cobbled final in Cheltenham, and the Colombian – who's still not at 100% after his long injury lay-off – sprinted to seventh place on the stage won by Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo), adding more points to his tally in the black jersey classification ahead of the last day of the race, which will take the riders to Wales.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
