Gallery
Not Yet Historical TdF23-41
We are all waiting to see if Mark Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is going to win that thus far elusive 35th Tour de France stage victory. At 100 meters to go itt really looked like today was going to be the day. But he faded just a bit and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was able to surge to the line for his third win in this edition of the Tour de France. On another possible historic note, Biniam Girmay (Intermache-Circus-Wanty) almost became the first black African to win a Tour stage, but he was bested by the seasoned sprinting veteran and the Maillot Vert (naturally, the best sprinter in this Tour thus far). Girmay was a bit frustrated and may have felt as though his sprint had been impeded by Philipsen getting through the others to claim victory. Behind the green jersey was Luca Mozzato (Arkea-Samsic) in fourth and Jordi Meeus (Bora-Hansgrohe) in fifth.
Cav may have another chance to break the all time stage record tomorrow, but it will be another five days until the next stage that truly suits the sprinters.