It was a close sprint that decided stage 10 of the Tour de France and Wednesday’s stage 11 delivered more of the same. Four gun sprinters were tightly bunched as they hit the line in Poitiers and a photo was required to confirm the order they crossed the line.
Caleb Ewan (Lotto-Soudal) was the victor — his second stage win at this year’s Tour — but behind him Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) was relegated from second to 85th (back of the lead group) for a questionable manoeuvre in the closing moments of the stage.
Here’s how stage 11 unfolded through the lenses of our ever-terrific photographers. Enjoy!
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- Princess Peach and Mario take a moment from their busy schedules to watch the Tour go past. We can only assume Luigi was busy waiting for the intermediate sprint.
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- It was a long and lonely day for solo leader Matthieu Ladagnous (Groupama-FDJ).
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- The sunflowers aren’t quite as striking as they normally are during the Tour’s regular July timeslot.
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- Sizeable crowds came out to watch the peloton make its eastward trek towards the Alps.
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- The teams of the sprinters kept Ladagnous on a tight leash. The Frenchman was caught with 43 km to go, as the peloton readied for a bunch sprint.
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- It was an uphill drag into Poitiers.
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- Note Peter Sagan up against the barriers trying to push past Wout van Aert.
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- It was neck and neck with just a few metres to go.
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- But with impressive finishing speed Ewan caught up …
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- … and threw for the line …
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- … and just managed to sneak his wheel in front.
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- It was close. Sagan (top) was given second place over Sam Bennett (in green) but was later relegated for shoving Van Aert during the sprint.
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- Ewan and Bennett made contact after the finish but both stayed upright.
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- Ewan said he wasn’t sure if he’d won the stage but celebrated “just in case”.
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- Bennett seemed to have a clearer idea of who won. The two are great mates and shared a fist bump shortly after this shot.
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- Ladagnous was awarded the “most combative rider” prize for the day. He looks as if he’s seen some things.
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- That’s stage win number two for Ewan at this year’s Tour, giving the Aussie five wins from two visits to the race.
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- He’s made it very clear he wants to win on the Champs-Elysees again in around 10 days’ time. First he’ll have to get over a bunch of mountains …
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- Primoz Roglic continues to lead the Tour.
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