Tour de France 2016 Stage 11: Sagan wins after surprise attack with Froome, who cements lead

Travelling from Carcassonne to Montpellier, stage 11 in the Tour de France looks like a sprinter's dream. Yet, strong winds mark the race. Sagan, Froome, Martin and Bodnar go on the attack with 12 kilometres left. The World Champion powers to the win, the man in yellow cements his GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 11th stage Tour de France

1. Peter Sagan (svk)
2. Chris Froome (gbr) s.t.
3. Maciej Bodnar (pol) s.t.
4. Alexander Kristoff (nor) + 0.06
5. Christophe Laporte (fra) s.t.
6. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.
7. Edvald Boasson Hagen (nor) s.t.
8. André Greipe (ger) s.t.
9. Sondre Holst Enger (nor) s.t.
10. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.

15. Adam Yates (gbr) s.t.
16. Roman Kreuziger (cze) s.t.
17. Nairo Quintana (col) s.t.
22. Fabio Aru (ita) s.t.
26. Bauke Mollema (nld) s.t.
27. Richie Porte (aus) s.t.
29. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
30. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
35. Daniel Martin (irl) s.t.
69. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 1.09

GC after the 11h stage
1. Chris Froome (gbr)
2. Adam Yates (gbr) + 0.28
3. Daniel Martin (irl) + 0.31
4. Nairo Quintana (col) + 0.35
5. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 0.56
6. Romain Bardet (fra) s.t.
7. Sergio Henao (col) s.t.
8. Alejandro Valverde (spa) + 1.13
9. Tejay van Gardreren (usa) s.t.
10. Roman Kreuzier (cze) + 1.28

11. Fabio Aru (ita) + 1.35
12. Joaquim Rodriguez (spa) + 1.52
13. Louis Meintjes (rsa) + 2.10
14. Richie Porte (aus) + 2.22
15. Warren Barguil (fra) + 3.03
16. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 3.32
18. Wilco Kelderman (nld) + 5.54

Race report
In a very fast opening Arthur Vichot and Leigh Howard escape to race to a maximum lead at almost 5 minutes. Yet, echelons are all over the place in the second half of the race and the escapees are brought back with 60 kms remaining.

At kilometre 50 Kittel takes the intermediate sprint ahead of Sagan and Cavendish, while at kilomettres 35 the full pack is bunched again.

With 12 kms left Sagan goes on the attack with his team mate Bodnar. Froome and Thomas join them to race to a 24 seconds lead. Cavendish punctures, but he shouldn’t be too worred as the sprinters team are too late. Sagan outsprints Froome on the line to win a stunner of race.

The GC leader puts 12 seconds into his opponents, 6 of those a bonus for sprinting to second place.

‘Purito’ Rodriguez drops out of the top 5 to twelfth place overall.