Team dsm-firmenich get through hot and fast stage to Issoire together

A fierce battle over Tuesday’s terrain which included north of 3000 altitude metres, the breakaway battled it out for the win, while behind the team helped Romain Bardet to finish safely amongst the GC group after what was a tough and hot opening to the stage.

It was a fast start to the day’s proceedings with multiple attacks from the flag drop. Team dsm-firmenich were particularly active with Matt Dinham, Chris Hamilton and Kevin Vermaerke all making it into groups that got small gaps before being brought back. Approaching the top of the first climb, Bardet put in a dig which saw the bunch split and a group go clear that included the Frenchman and several of the big GC riders. Building up a gap of 40 seconds, a fierce chase from the peloton followed and after around ten kilometres they were brought back. The latest attackers were only around 20 seconds ahead so counter surges flew from the bunch and the pace remained infernal. Bardet suffered through this round of attacks, and had to let go of the peloton, with the guys quickly rallying around him.

With the help of John Degenkolb, Hamilton and Dinham; plus a few other teams who were intent on closing the two groups, a strong chase and brilliant teamwork saw the two minute gap close after around a further 30 kilometres, with Vermaerke dropping from the peloton ahead to give one last pull. From there, the team continued to support Bardet who managed to build back into the stage. Despite a strong tempo at moments and more riders dropping from the yellow jersey group towards the finale, Bardet and Hamilton would cross the line safely in Issoire alongside the peloton – after a true show of teamwork from everyone.

After the stage Bardet expressed: “It was a really fast start today. I felt good in the beginning and we wanted to try something. We were away in a dangerous group but the other GC teams brought it back. I then had a few minutes where I paid the price for the tough start, and went into the red and that cost me, so I had to drop from the group. The rest of the guys were amazing. They supported me and helped me with everything I needed, and worked really hard to close the gap. I’m super thankful for them. Once the gap was closed I managed to get through the day okay in the end.”

Team dsm-firmenich coach Matt Winston added: “Romain’s legs were really good at the start. He put some pressure on over the first climb and managed to pull clear a good group. When it’s this hot you can then pay for the efforts, especially with how hard the group were pulling, so once the group was caught, I think he then had a five minute period where he went into the red and cooked himself a bit. When it pays off you’re in the front of the race all day and you make massive steps on the GC, so it was a little bit of a gamble. He ended up in the second group, but you also see that some other guys who were attacking and then ended up in that group too. The team did a fantastic job to stay calm, keep him cool and bring Romain back to the peloton. In the end I think we came through the day okay. It could have been a really good day but then in a moment it could also have been a disaster, so the guys did really well together to get things under control.”