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Chartres (dpa) – Three German sprinters among the top eleven, but again without a win: Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen gets his first stage victory in the fourth mbad sprint of the 105th Tour de France cheering before the finish line.
At the end of the seventh stage and with 231 kilometers of longer stage Groenewegen let former sprint star Fernando Gaviria in second place and the wearer of the green jersey, Peter Sagan, no luck. John Degenkolb of Oberursel was sixth, former champion Andre Greipel Achter, Rick Zabel eleventh.
The yellow jersey effortlessly defends Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet. The Belgian now addresses his desire to leave Sunday in the Yellow Jersey in the direction of Roubaix. Before that, Saturday sprinters in Amiens have another option.
The unfortunate Marcel Kittel, last year on the roads of France with five stage success, the great Matador, has nothing to do with the decision made in the shadows from the famous cathedral of Chartres. He spun like 118th at the finish. Despite everything, Degenkolb was rather satisfied: "It was a totally chaotic sprint, I came back from behind and I had a good punch, it was a good day for me", has said the Trek Segafredo professional.
For the reluctant launched in the Gronewegen tour broke out on Friday, the knot. "I'm relieved, I knew it was better every day, it was worth it, I'm happy for myself and for the team, my legs are good, tonight we're celebrating a little bit – and maybe tomorrow again "he explained.
Co-favorite Tom Dumoulin was still bruised Friday for the 20-second penalty imposed the day before by the jury for driving against the wind. After his failure, the Sunweb captain had been too long behind his team car to reach the frantic field with all the favorites. At the finish on the Mur-de-Bretagne, the Dutchman had to be credited 33 seconds behind, plus 20 seconds penalty.
His criticisms were limited, although other drivers did the same and were not punished. "In the early days of the tour, I was very lucky compared to many other rivals, and I'm sure it will be a small defeat," said Dumoulin, who could be the challenger the toughest of the winner of the Chris Froome series.
The "golden years" of German cyclists on tour could end. Since 2011, they have at least each won a stage victory, in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and 2017, the Tour de France has been by their success almost the "Tour of Germany".
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