Crosswinds and a tricky run-in to the finish line teased an interesting result out of what could have been an innocuous Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Michael Matthews won his second stage of the 2017 Tour by edging out Edvald Boasson Hagen and John Degenkolb in a near-photo finish, taking maximum green jersey points from Marcel Kittel, who finished more than minutes behind.
Tour de France standings 2017: Michael Matthews wins Stage 16 after Sky blows up peloton in crosswinds
Team Sky made an aggressive move in the crosswinds that left Dan Martin behind.
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
With 20 kilometers to go to Romans-sur-Isère, Team Sky took over the front of the peloton and put the hammer down, forming an echelon and splitting the bunch. The attack wasn’t entirely successful — most of Chris Froome’s general classification rivals were able to cross the gap — but it did leave Dan Martin behind. The Quick-Step rider lost 51 seconds on the stage, falling to seventh on the general classification and significantly damaging his podium hopes.
Fabio Aru, Romain Bardet, and Rigoberto Uran — 18, 23, and 29 seconds back of the yellow jersey, respectively — were able to hang with Sky as they surged off the front. They will hold the same relative positioning as the Tour heads into the Alps for what should be decisive days on Wednesday and Thursday.
With the stage victory, Matthews put himself in striking distance to rip the green jersey away from Kittel, who fell off the back of the peloton early in the stage, apparently feeling ill. With two climbing stages forthcoming, and Matthews the much better climber, the points competition battle is about to get very interesting.
Stage 16 results
1. Michael Matthews, Team Sunweb - 3h18’15”
2. Edvald Boasson Hagen, Dimension Data - +0:00
3. John Degenkolb, Trek-Segafredo - “
4. Greg Van Avermaet, BMC Racing - “
5. Cristophe Laporte, Cofidis - “
6. Jens Keukeleire, Orica-Scott - “
7. Tony Gallopin, Lotto Soudal - “
8. Tiesj Benoot, Lotto Soudal - “
9. Maciej Bodnar, Bora-Hansgrohe - “
10. Romain Hardy, Fortuneo-Oscaro - “
General classification after Stage 16
1. Chris Froome, Team Sky - 68h18’36’’
2. Fabio Aru, Astana - +00’18’’
3. Romain Bardet, AG2R La Mondiale - +00’23’’
4. Rigoberto Uran, Cannondale - +00’29’’
5. Mikel Landa, Team Sky - +01’17’’
6. Simon Yates - Orica - Scott - +02’02’’
7. Daniel Martin, Quick - Step - +02’03’’
8. Louis Meintjes, Team Emirates - +06’00’’
9. Damiano Caruso, BMC Racing - +06’05’’
10. Nairo Quintana, Movistar - +06’16”
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