The 191 Kms stage 14 race to Lyon, mainly over flatland except for a small climb at the end, did not change the overall classifications in any of the categories.
A group of 18 riders broke away from the Peloton early in the stage. Initially the time gap was a little over 30 seconds but gradually the time gap began getting wider and wider and had ballooned to 7'09" by the time the Peloton crossed the finish line.
Looking at the race and seeing how the SKY Team were cycling at the front of the Peloton, I got the feeling that they wanted an easy day at the Office after yesterday's dramatic split of the riders over the stage caused by terrible crosswinds. Further they knew that none of the 18 riders upfront could change the overall GC classification in any category.
A little nationalistic sentiment was whipped up nearer the end of the stage when Julien Simon broke away from the leading pack and made a tremendous dash towards the finish - trying to become the first Frenchman to win a stage in this year's 100th Tour.
Unfortunately he could not survive alone.
There were a flurry of attacks over the last climb and at the end, Matteo Trentin of Quickstep won the stage. It was nice to see Mark Cavendish's team winning on consecutive days.
Tomorrow is Bastille Day - July 14th.
It will be Stage15 - a race over 242 kms or 150 miles - it is the longest stage of the Tour ending with a climb of 6273' over Mont Ventoux.
See you then.
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