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Jens Dekker makes an interesting point on Twitter regarding the selection of wildcard teams this year.
2 wildcard teams invited. B&B Hotels tried but failed epically on stage 1, and Total hasn’t tried at all. Imagine Uno X having been invited. They would’ve been in the break every day. I know what I would’ve chosen… #TDF2022July 5, 2022
115km to go
The pace is stately in the bunch, with the gap stretching out to 5’49”.
It’s still a mystery as to why QuickStep decided to stress the bunch and push the pace for a short time, as now the gap to the break stretches out to over 5 minutes once more.
With more crosswinds to come and an intermediate sprint due in just over 10km, there’s every chance things could change quickly.
120km to go
Peace is restored to the peloton. Many riders catch up and shoot the breeze, plenty of smiles and laughter, and a chance to rehydrate. There are still five cat 4 climbs left on the stage, but the next one doesn’t appear for another 25km or so.
The bunch are finally back together, and some choose this as an opportune moment for a comfort break as the tension eases once more.
125km to go
Anthony Perez and Magnus Cort continue to ride as a duo in the day’s break. They have a lead of 4’03” over the bunch.
Still riders all over the road as the second group all try to ride back onto the main peloton.
Race leader Wout van Aert visits the team car and shares some discussion as he exchanges his bidons.
The gap drops below 3’30” as the second group try to make it back on. It looks as though crosswinds are slightly bothersome, something to keep an eye on as the day progresses. There is still some distance to ride before the route changes direction and begins to head west.
While the panic at the front of the bunch seems to have abated, the result is a second group on the road who have been distanced from the main peloton.
130km to go
QuickStep-AlphaVinyl have decided enough is enough and put their foot on the gas at the front of the bunch.
It’s caught a number of riders by surprise, and groups of riders who’ve dropped off the pace fight to get back on.
The gap to the leaders is down to 4’00”.
Steven Krijswijk (Team Jumbo_Vimsa) is caught out by the increase in pace in the peloton, and chases back on at the back of the bunch.
135km to go
Team Total Energies and QuickStep AlphaVinyl lead the peloton over the climb in Cassel.
The gap settles once again at around 4’45”.
The gap drops under five minutes as the peloton approach the climb.
The streets of Cassel are lined with fans as the riders continue through the town, catching their breath as they continue to ride uphill.
Anthony Perez opens up his sprint first but Cort rides past him as they head towards the top of the climb. Both have perhaps underestimated the length of time remaining on the climb but Cort hangs on to grab the single point available, and boost his lead in the KOM classification.
140km to go
The Côte de Cassel climb is underway for the two breakaway riders, Magnus Cort and Anthony Perez. They traverse the cobbles as the crowds cheer them up the ascent.
The peloton have turned the corner, in terms of the time gap. They begin to slowly close it once again, heading back down towards the six minute mark.
Just a couple of kilometres stand between our two breakaway riders and the first climb of the day, the Côte de Cassel, which features a short cobbled sector – a brief hint at what…
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