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Leaving the Drama Behind
The Britton, Alexandre Geniez (FDJ) had left all of his break away companions and the rest of the peloton for that matter far behind him as he raced across the valley floor. Behind the young Frenchman, high drama was being played out for the overall race lead. Today was the final stage of real racing. It is tradition that no one attacks the Maillot Jaune on the ride into Paris. The peloton usually allows the team of the leader to take a ceremonial lap around the Champs Elysee course. Once the ceremonial bow to the crowd has been completed, someone will attack and the racing will commence in earnest. Given the profile of the stage, the lead that Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo) has in the Points Jersey competition and the traditions of the Tour, no jersey will be changing owners after the end of this the penultimate stage of the 102nd Tour de France.