Mâcon, Thursday, June 8, 2017
Mâcon had seen a young German sprinter triumph in 2011, who had already revealed himself two days earlier by winning at Lyon. John Degenkolb then proved to be one of the sprinters who count, as a neo-professional, at the age of 22. It is exactly the same age that one of his heirs, Phil Bauhaus, took over as head of the sprinters and won his first prestigious victory. On the road to Mâcon, the formations of the stage did not leave any hope for the escape of the day, in which Koen Bouwman took the lead climbing. But in the end, Demare, Kristoff and Bouhanni could not do anything to contain the acceleration of Phil Bauhaus in the last 250 meters.
THE WINNER’S REACTION
“I am very happy. For a few days, I felt that my legs responded rather well. The fact of winning today at Macon confirms this. Forward sprinters like Bouhanni, Demare or even Kristoff is certainly remarkable, and few people expected me at this level, but I knew that I was able to. This success is certainly the most beautiful of my career “.
Stage Result:
- Phil Bauhaus (Team Sunweb) 17,5 km en 4h04’32’’
- Arnaud Demare (FDJ) m.t
- Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) m.t
General Classification:
- Thomas de Gendt (Lotto Soudal)
- Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team) à 27’’
- Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) à 51’’
