Sisteron, Thursday, March 8th 2018– France’s Jerome Cousin, gone in a four-man breakaway to snatch KOM points, did even better. Not only did he succeed in grabbing the polka-dot jersey but he also went all the way to clinch a remarkable stage win after leading the race from the start in Salon-de-Provence to the finish in Sisteron. In the finale, the Direct Energie rider outwitted the last of his breakaway companions, Germany’s Nils Politt (Katusha) to raise the arms as his team-mate Jonathan Hivert did two days before. Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez retained his yellow jersey and his 15 seconds lead over Dutchman Wout Poels (Team Sky).
STAGE CLASSIFICATION
1. Jérôme Cousin (Direct Energie) in 3h57’25’’
2. Nils Pollit (Team Katusha Alpecin) at 2’’
3. André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) at 4’’
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Luis León Sanchez (Astana Pro Team) 17h45’26’’
2. Wout Poels (Team Sky) at 15’’
3. Julain Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) at 26’’
