In the short Alps stage over 134 kilometres with three first category climbs and one hors category climb along the way, a large leading group quickly got established, including Lennard Hofstede. Hofstede showed himself well and he was also leading the stage with Julian Alaphilippe for a while. Eventually, everything came together on the final climb. Steven Kruijswijk was well supported by Sepp Kuss and Neilson Powless, but had to give in on the group of favourites in the last three kilometres.

“It was not my best day”, Kruijswijk said. “The cold and the rain on the last climb made it very difficult for me. I gave everything I had, but unfortunately I couldn’t go any better today.”

Sports director Grischa Niermann endorsed the words of his leader. “It is a pity that Stevie was caught in the cold and could not go with the best. The heavy rainfall did not make it easy. Nevertheless, I have seen a strong team. For us it was an ideal race situation with Lennard in the breakaway. He did an excellent job. He crashed during a descent. Luckily, it didn’t result in any major injuries. Behind them, the other guys did a great job for Steven. But it is not the result we had hoped for.”