Stage 10: Magnus Strikes Late
No more polka dots for Magnus, but he’ll relish the podium on Stage 10.Magnus Cort Nielsen of EF-Easypost wins an agonizing sprint to take Stage 10, striking late from a breakaway of hopefuls. The Danish rider recently handed off his polka dots jersey to the new King of the Mountains Simon Geschke (Cofidis), but he did not have to wait long to find the spotlight again. It appeared that his teammate Alberto Bettiol (EF) was primed for a win after defending his solo breakaway until around 20km. Just when it looked like Nielsen was merely tagging along to aid Bettiol’s chances, the Dane made his move for a photo finish.
Bettiol will content himself with the Most Combative prize. Part in due to hard riding in the front. Part in due to nosing his way through protestors on the course.
Lennard KämnaMany riders perhaps sensed a unique opportunity for a win today in front of a distant peloton of GC contenders that showed no interest in keeping pace. In fact, the yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogacar barely held on to the honor as Lennard Kämna raced in front with the breakaway, leaping into second place overall after Stage 10. With a pair of big mountain stages next, the strong climber Kämna has a chance to hold his ranking.
Elsewhere in the race Dani Martinez (IGD) had an awful race, plunging in the overall standings. He’s seen his star decline from 10th overall after Stage 8 to 37th overall after Stage 10. Fortunately Ineos-Grenadiers have depth to spare, still claiming three riders in the top-10 overall after Stage 10: Thomas (3rd), Yates (4th), and Pidcock (8th). Unfortunately for American fans, the highest placed national Neilson Powless falls out of the top-10 to 11th overall. The EF GC strategy still remains cloudy as the reliable veteran and typical GC-man Rigoberto Uran (EF) cedes yet more time to his younger teammate Powless.
