Tour de France 2016 Stage 10: Michael Matthews outsprints Peter Sagan, Froome still in yellow

Stage 10 in the Tour de France begins with a huge col in the Pyrenees, while the finale offers a 1.8 kilometres climb at 6.6% before a flat arrival. An elite group sprints for the win, with Michael Matthews powering to victory ahead of Peter Sagan, Edvald Boasson Hagen and Greg Van Avermaet. Chris Froome retains in the overall lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 10th stage Tour de France

1. Michael Matthews (aus)
2. Peter Sagan (svk) s.t.
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (nor) s.t.
4. Greg Van Avermaet (bel) s.t.
5. Samuel Dumoulin (fra) s.t.
6. Daryl Impey (rsa) + 0.02
7. Luke Durbridge (aus) + 1.10
8. Damiano Caruso (ita) + 3.01
9. Gorka Izagirre (spa) + 3.10
10. Tony Gallopin (fra) s.t.

Bunch at 9.39

GC after 10th stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.16
3. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.19
4. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.23
5. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 0.37
6. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.44
7. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
8. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
9. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 0.55
10. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 1.01

11. Tejay van Garderen (usa) s.t.
12. Roman Kreuziger (cze) + 1.16
13. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.23
14. Richie Porte (aus) + 2.10
15. Warren Barguil (fra) + 2.51

Race report
Once the flag is dropped the Port d’Envalira looms, a climb at over 20 kilometres leading to an elevation of 2,440 metres. Attacks are everywhere and Peter Sagan is one the most prominent attackers. Yet, it’s only 6.5 kms under the top th first proper gap is created by Rui Costa. The former World Champion is the first to crest and in the descent he is accompanied by Sagan, Nibali, Matthews, Cummings, Landa, Gorka Izagirre, Samuel Dumoulin, Caruso, Durbridge, Gallopin, Boasson Hagen, Van Avermaet, Chavanel and Impey. They race to a maximum lead at 7 over minutes.

With 74 kms remaining Peter Sagan wins the intermediate sprint, thus taking the green jersey back from Mark Cavendish.

At kilometre 25 km the pack is 4 minutes down when Sagan starts pushing so hard only Van Avermaet, Dumoulin, Boasson Hagen, Matthews, Impey and Durbridge are able to keep his wheel. Their former companions can’t bridge over, while the peloton stops chasing. So the stage winner must be in the front group.

The finale is ushered in by Côte de Saint-Ferréol, an 1.8 kilometres climb at 6.6%. Durbridge gets dropped while Sagan puts pressure on his opponents, with Michael Matthews glued to his wheel.

In the streets of Revel the Australian is fastest and powers to the first Tour de France stage win in his career.