Today's stage: Close to pancake flat stage designed as a transitional stage between Pyrenees and Alps.
Who won the stage? Mark Cavendish (HTC-High Road) took his 4th stage of this year's tour taking another bunch sprint with yet another perfect teammate lead out.
What matters in the GC race? Absolutely nothing. Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) continues to lead. No changes to the top 20 in the overall standings.
What matters in the other competitions?
Green Jersey (best sprinter): Cavendish extended his lead further over JJ Rojas (Movistar) and Philippe Gilbert (Omega-Pharma Lotto). It is likely Gilbert against Cavendish now unless Cavendish is eliminated in the Alps by time limit. Rojas sits second but there is no way he beat Cavendish whereas Gilbert will likely collect more points in the mountains.
Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): No changes with only one cat 4 climbs on today's route. Jelle Vanendart (Omega-Pharma Lotto) continues to hold a slim lead over Sammy Sanchez (Euskatel).
White Jersey (Best Young Rider): No changes here either. Rigoberto Uran (Team Sky) continues to lead after the bunch finish.
Biggest surprise: There were no surprises at all today. The stage went by the books. In fact, I likely could have written this whole thing last night and been exactly right. It was that predictable and by the books.
Biggest disappointment: None. I had no expectations that this stage would end in anything other than a bunch sprint with a Cavendish win over the field and no GC changes. No expectations equals no disappointments.
Other items of note: Nothing at all to note. This was about as boring a stage as is humanly possible in cycling. It would be tough to come up with a more bland terrain for a stage if you tried, anywhere in the world.
What is coming tomorrow? A long flat stage with a nasty cat 2 climb right at the end. Tailor made for either Philippe Gilbert or a breakaway to stay away.
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