Right from the start in Bayeux, the race ignited. Attacks followed in quick succession. Victor Campenaerts opened the action for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, and shortly after, Wout van Aert also made an attempt. The third try was the one that succeeded - this time by Yates. The Brit got away with seven other riders and built up a lead of several minutes.

With around forty kilometers to go, fellow escapee Ben Healy made a move and went solo. The Irishman’s attack proved successful, as he arrived alone in Vire Normandie and claimed the stage win. Yates crossed the line in fifth place. Mathieu van der Poel was also part of the breakaway and is now the new leader of the general classification. That means Jonas Vingegaard and Matteo Jorgenson move up to fifth and sixth overall.

“We wanted to be part of the day’s breakaway, and I managed to get in”, Yates says after the stage. “I’m starting to feel better and better, which I hope is a good sign for the rest of the Tour. It was a tough day out there.” Teammate Tiesj Benoot adds: “Especially the first two hours were extremely fast. Eventually, the GC teams eased up a bit. Overall, it was a good day for us.”

On a postive day for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Vingegaard staying out of trouble throughout. “I was obviously disappointed yesterday, but today I felt much better. I’m happy about that. There hasn’t been an easy stage so far in this Tour de France. Tomorrow will be another tough one”, the Dane predicts.

Head of Racing Grischa Niermann is pleased with the team's performance. “We are showing good form as a team. It was a hard race and we definitely wanted to be part of the break. It’s a pity that Wout’s attempt didn’t work out. Today wasn’t a day for Jonas to try anything, but he felt good and was able to follow Pogacar on the final climb.” Tomorrow’s stage is another long one, finishing atop the Mûr-de-Bretagne.