The Tour de France: Iconic, brutal, beautiful.

Photo Gallery: 2017 Tour de France, Stage 11

July 12, 2017
2 minute read

German sprinter Marcel Kittel (Quick Step Floors) took his fifth stage win of the 2017 Tour de France on Stage 11 in Pau. Dutch sprinter Dylan Groenewegen (Lotto NL-Jumbo) was second after a late push, with Dimension Data’s Edvald Boasson Hagen in third. Breakaway remnant Macej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe) wasn’t reeled in until the final 400 meters after a bold solo move 25 kilometers out from the finish.

The peloton once again lined up for a sprinter’s stage on Wednesday, embarking on a flat 203 kilometer jaunt from Eymet to Pau, “the Gateway to the Pyrenees.” The impending mountain stages meant Stage 11 would be another attempt at rest for the GC men.

Despite the headwind, the men of the breakaway again made an attempt at stage glory. Like Stages 3 and 6, Frederik Backaert of Wanty-Groupe Gobert was involved as an instigator. Joining him was Marco Marcato (UAE Team Emirates) and Macej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe), and their gap rose immediately, edging close to five minutes before Quick-Step Floors’ unwavering diesel Julien Vermote once again took the front of the peloton to monitor the gap. Members of Lotto-Soudal and Katusha also aided the chase.

Forty kilometers to go saw the breakaway’s gap dip under 1:00 after a diligent chase at the front of the peloton. It looked to be an early end to their efforts, but they continued for ten more kilometers, the gap falling to just under 40 seconds. Bodnar wasn’t ready for his day to conclude, however, attacking Marcato and Backaert 27 kilometers out. A multi-time Polish national time trial champion, Bodnar immediately assumed an aerodynamic tuck and distanced his fatigued breakaway partners, who were quickly absorbed by the peloton.

For a bit it appeared as if Bodnar was going to survive, but at 250 meters, he was absorbed by the charging sprint.

Kittel appeared to be too far back, but as the sprint was launched and gaps began opening, he turned on the afterburners, moved around the outside of the scrum with Groenewegen in tow, and overcame everyone for the win. Boasson Hagen, passed with 10 meters remaining, punched his bars frustratingly, as Kittel raised his right hand, five fingers outstretched.

: The caravan lined up prior to the start in Eymet.

: Frederik Backaert (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Marco Marcato (UAE Team Emirates) and Macej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe) composed the breakaway. Their attempt was plagued by headwinds, but Bodnar nevertheless sent a solo attempt 25 kilometers out.

: Quick Step Floors has been working flawlessly the last two stages for their phenom sprinter Marcel Kittel.

: The Tour de France: Iconic, brutal, beautiful.

: A typical sight at the front of the field. Sky has their team structure refined like no other squad.

: Young French GC hope Romain Bardet had a brief encounter with the pavement and received a bike exchange.

: The breakaway had close to five minutes before they began to be reeled in.

: Quick Step Floors and Lotto-Soudal have been instrumental in controlling the last two stages of the Tour.

: The iconic images of sunflowers in France in July never get old.

: Michael Gogl (Trek-Segafredo) took a tumble along with team leader Alberto Contador.

: Gogl crashed during the Tour de France, where he rode in support of Alberto Contador.

: Direct Energie’s cutest fan was present.

: Edvald Boassan Hagen led until the last ten meters, even beginning his celebration before he’d noticed Kittel had passed him. The fist in the air quickly turned to a fist punching the bars as he realized what happened.