The queen stage with seven categorised climbs was a very fast race from the start. The pace was very high and there was no early breakaway. On the various climbs, the peloton was split to bits. The riders of Team Jumbo-Visma were too far back early on in the stage, after which they missed the split at crucial moments. With the support of Jonas Vingegaard Bennett managed to fight back, after which he rode a meritorious final climb.

“It was a tough stage with 3000 altitude metres”, sports director Sierk Jan de Haan explained. “The pace was very high from the start. It was difficult to move up. Because of this, we were too far back at the crucial moments and we were not represented in the front when it split to bits. Partly due to the excellent work of Jonas, George was able to return to the group with favourites. George rode his own pace on the final climb and finished reasonably well. Tomorrow’s final stage is going to be another tough stage in which a lot is still possible.”