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Thinking About a Stage Victory
Having caught Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) all five began to think that they had a solid chance of taking the stage victory. Jan Bakelants (OPQS) had been in this position in 2013 and got the victory. Nicolas Roche (Tinkoff Saxo) had done much the same, plus had the additional incentive of getting the victory for the team the day after their team leader, Alberto Contador, was forced to abandon the race. Cyril Gautier (Europcar) was looking for the first stage for his team and for his country, as was Elimger and Jon Izaguirre (Movistar). All the group had to do was hold of the Cannondale lead peloton off of their wheels and then fight it out amongst themselves. And then there was the final climb up the Cote d'Echallon and the long descent into Oyonnax.