The stage was characterised by harsh weather conditions and the riders had to climb as much as four thousand metres. Two escapees, of a group of seven, were only caught on the flanks of the long final climb to Thyon 2000. Due to heavy rain and dense fog the race organisation decided to neutralise part of the descent on the penultimate climb.

Kuss and Kruijswijk were able to follow in the classification group for a long time. However, at six kilometres from the finish both riders of Team Jumbo-Visma were no longer able to catch up with the other favourites. The American eventually finished thirteenth. The Dutchman had to settle for 22nd place.

Sports director Jan Boven admitted that the stage had not gone as planned. “It was not a great day for us as a team. We had hoped for more before the start. Up until six kilometres from the finish the situation still looked reasonable. Then our guys unfortunately lost their forces. The circumstances will have played a part, but this is something that will have affected everyone. The important thing now is to start warming up well and then show what we’re made of tomorrow in the time trial. Sepp will take this race against the clock into his learning process and with the other guys we will also make a good plan to get a good result.”