Strong start
On the eve of the second rest day, attackers felt there was an opportunity to take over a tricky long route from Moirans-en-Montagne to Bern (209km). Tony Martin and Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx-Quick Step) went first, breaking away at km 13. But many counter-attacks followed and it took more than 45 kilometres for the race to settle: Martin and Alaphilippe leading the way, a group of four chasers with Timo Roosen (Lotto NL - Jumbo), Lawson Craddock (Cannondale-Drapac), Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and Nicolas Edet (Cofidis) trying to bridge the gap.
Martin's solo act
Far from letting the chasers join and offer some support, Tony "Panzerwagen' Martin went for a display of raw power. For most of the stage, Alaphilippe sat in his wheel, while the German time-trial specialist grew a 6 minutes lead over a peloton wary of his abilities. Clearly out-powered, the counter-attack was reeled in by the peloton at km 101, while Martin kept leading his young teammate.
There was no way to fool the bunch
Martin's effort, eventually supported by Alaphilippe in the final 100 kilometres, couldn't hold off a peloton with its mind set on a final showdown. The two attackers got caught with 20 kilometres to go. Dimension Data, Cofidis, Direct Energie, Katusha, BMC, Tinkoff… So many teams involved in the pursuit, but only one winner: Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), despite a push from Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) in the final 20 kilometres.
