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Valiantly Defended
Michael Matthews (Orica GreenEdge) had promised to defend his jersey to his absolute limit. Pledging to pay honor to the jersey, holding onto the peloton until he just couldn't turn over another pedal. Matthews who has more of a sprinter's build and the accompanying distaste for the step climb, managed to stay with the others until only 6 kilometes left in the stage. Honor was paid to the Maillot Jaune indeed. His teammate, Simon Clarke did all he could to keep his compatriot in touch, until Matthews surrendered telling his teammate to go ride for himself.