Stage 16: Hugo Is Huge
Hugo Houle of Israel-Premier Tech pointed to the sky as he crossed the finish line, dedicating the win to his brother who was killed in 2012 by a drunk driver. It was an emotional solo finish from 40km out for a rider who has never won a professional bike race and largely handles domestique duties for teammates.
Houle’s teammates were overjoyed at the win.
Israel-Premier Tech looked like it might get to celebrate a 1-2 finish for a while. Michael Woods (IPT) was with American Matteo Jorgenson (MOV) in the first group chasing Houle on his solo breakaway. With his teammate up the road, Woods was not contributing, but suddenly found himself alone when Jorgenson spilled on a tight corner. Jorgenson recovered, however, and Woods was caught by a small group of chasers. Israel-PremierTech will happily settle for the 1,3/Houle/Woods finish, a fine addition to Simon Clarke’s (IPT) win on Stage 5.
The top-3 GC rankings did not shuffle, but the action was explosive. The contest appears to have boiled down to a duel between Jonas Vingegaard (1st, JV) and Tadej Pogacar (2nd, UAE) duel to Paris. Pogacar tested Vingegaard multiple times on the late climbs, charging up the steep inclines. The Slovenian successfully isolated the Dane from the protection of his fellow teammates a few times, but he could not shake him loose, and the supporting cast eventually caught up. After the exertions of the category 1 Port de Lers, the pair played it mostly vanilla on the climb up the Mur de Peguere. Geraint Thomas (IGD) holds firm at third overall, needing the help of Adam Yates (IGD) to keep within range of the dueling leaders.
Elsewhere in the race, Romain Bardet (DSM) suffers a difficult day; he lost ground in the overall classification and slips from 4th to 9th place.
