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After a few hard days in the mountains, the last chance saloon was open for business on stage 20 of the Tour, with many teams having little to show for their time in France.
The stage was set up for the break, with four categorized climbs and some steep pitches, while rain added to the unpredictability of the day.
The hunger of many teams was on full display and the break took an hour of hard racing to finally form, initiated by a strong group including Tim Wellens and Matteo Jorgenson, and growing to 13 strong.
Jordan Jegat, placed 11th overall, kept GC teams interested in keeping the break within reach, but he persevered despite his break-mates letting him know they would prefer he drop back. Later, Harry Sweeny tried his luck alone, building close to a minute’s advantage, before getting reeled in on the day’s final climb.
After several riders slid off the course on a rain-slicked tight turn, a trio of Kaden Groves, Jake Stewart, and Frank van den Broek were left on the front. With 16km to go, Groves attacked on his own, leaving the other two fighting over who should chase, and ultimately leaving Groves to take the stage win by a comfortable margin, and providing a bookend to Alpecin-Deceuninck’s great start to the Tour.
Tomorrow provides one last opportunity in the Tour, and a new-look Paris finale will mean that more riders than the usual sprinters will be in contention for the race’s final stage win.