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It Took Team Work TdF71
Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) looks over with an expression of disbelief as Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) throws his arms wide in celebration. He shouldn't be surprised, the Australian team brought three men into the seven man break, it is they who should shake their heads if they didn't take the stage. I have seen it happen before, a that was in Paris Roubaix when three Etixx-Quickstep riders missed out on the victory when racing against one rider from Team Sky. So it can go wrong, just not today. Sagan's second place on the stage may well have sewn up his fifth consecutive victory in the race for the Maillot Vert, but then we are only have way through the Tour and you have to finish to win. The stage was rounded out by Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) and Greg Van Avermaet (BMC). Just tailing off the back of the group was Samuel Dumoulin (Ag2r La Mondiale). While the Frenchman was up amongst it, he leaves the French still looking for their first stage win in their home Tour. Today's stage victory means the Bling Matthews has now one a stage in all three of the Grand Tours. Chapeau!