Germany’s Kittel remains unstoppable in sprints
BRITAIN’S FROOME RETAINS THE OVERALL LEADER’S YELLOW JERSEY
erman Marcel Kittel claimed his fourth victory in this year’s Tour de France when he powered to an impressive Stage 10 win in a bunch sprint yesterday.
His compatriot John Degenkolb was second and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen took third place. Britain’s Chris Froome finished safe in the bunch to retain the overall leader’s yellow jersey.
Elie Gesbert, who on Monday almost set his Fortuneo-Oscaro team hotel on fire after leaving a towel on an electric heater to trigger a partial evacuation of the building, jumped away at the start. He was accompanied by fellow Frenchman Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) and the duo built a maximum advantage of 5:30.
The sprinters’ teams, however, had them on a tight leash and they were reined in 6.8km from the line. None of his rivals could match Kittel’s power as the Quick-Step Floors rider beat Degenkolb by more than a bike length to extend his lead in the points classification. It was Kittel’s 13th Tour stage win, taking him one ahead of Erik Zabel’s German record of 12.
Australian injured
Earlier, Australian Richie Porte said he was grateful he did not suffer worse injuries in the high-speed crash on Sunday that forced him to abandon the Tour de France. The BMC Racing rider, a pre-race favourite, fractured his pelvis and collarbone when he crashed into a rocky wall on the descent from the Mont du Chat during the ninth stage of the three-week race.
“Obviously I have felt much better than I do right now. I’m in a fair bit of pain and it is a big disappointment to be honest,” he said Television from his hospital bed in Chambery yesterday.
“I was in great form and the team were really strong around me as well. It is disappointing. I think after seeing the crash it was lucky that I came away with the injuries that I have.”
Porte, who had been tipped as a potential race leader and a serious rival to defending champion Chris Froome, will not rush his comeback.
“I don’t think I will be back on my bike for a good while now, but I think the team is good with that. They say ‘Just recover, there is no rush to come back’ and hopefully I will pull the BMC jersey on by the end of the year,” he said.
(Stage 10, Perigueux — Bergerac, 178km)
1. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step Floors) 4:01:00”/s2. John Degenkolb (Germany / Trek-Segafredo) ST 3. Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands / LottoNLJumbo) 4. Ruediger Selig (Germany / BORAhansgrohe) 5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha-Alpecin) 6. Nacer Bouhanni (France / Cofidis, Solutions Credits) 7. Daniel McLay (Britain / Fortuneo-Oscaro) 8. Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Belgium / Wanty-Groupe Gobert) 9. Sonny Colbrelli (Italy / BahrainMerida) 10. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Team Dimension Data)