Crosswinds cause chaos and create huge gaps in the overall ranking.
It was a crazy day in France, one of the most eventful in the recent history of the event. “The Race to the Sun” turned into a race of attrition, due to the lashing rain, strong winds and low temperatures which shattered the peloton in the opening hour and completely altered the expected dynamic of the stage, transforming the general classification.
The horrible conditions quickly splintered the bunch, leaving only 40 riders in the main field, including Pascal Eenkhoorn. The Dutchman managed to stay there until the final 60 kilometers, when attacks on the climbs reduced the group to just a dozen riders. From there, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) took the victory on the uphill finish in Uchon, moving into the overall lead.
Casper Pedersen took to the podium for the fourth consecutive day, to receive another KOM jersey. The 29-year-old Dane, who sits at the top of this classification since Sunday, became the first Soudal Quick-Step rider to amass four best climber’s jersey at a single edition of Paris-Nice.
Photo credit: ©Szymon Gruchalsky / Getty Images
