Initially, the stage wasn’t too exciting. A leading group of five riders got a maximum lead of four minutes and was caught well before the finish. The final was chaotic. Van Poppel was in the middle of the peloton for the last kilometre, so he had to settle for ninth place in the day result.

Initially, Bennett moved up to sixth place in the rankings, but due to a decision by the jury, the resulting time differences were reversed. The New Zealander had a puncture eight kilometres before the finish, but was able to return with the help of his teammates and finished in the peloton.

Sports director Grischa Niermann: “George was lucky that he could come back after that puncture. The men did an excellent job, so he lost no time. That was very clever. The jury’s decision is not in our favour, but we are particularly disappointed by Timo’s injury.”