Stage 4: Le Touquet-Paris-Plage to Lille Métropole, 163.5km. Flat.
It was tighter than yesterday; tighter than expected, but in the end, the result is what stands and yet again it was Marcel Kittel over the line in first. As Vin Diesel's character said in the Fast and Furious, "It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning." And winning is what Kittel is doing a lot of. Three of four stages to start this tour ... the first man to do that since Freddy Maertens in 1976, and Maertens went on to win eight stages that year.
Kittel probably isn't going to go that far in this tour, though if he does get eight opportunities in all, you fancy he would very well take them. They may have got close today, but everyone still seems so far behind. I said that Cavendish would be missed from the Tour when he crashed out on stage one and I think now we're beginning to see why. It isn't that I don't like Kittel winning, but it would have been great to see how Cav stacked up against him in this form. Especially when it is apparent that Andre Greipel is struggling to come close; managing only sixth today.
Tomorrow will be a different proposition altogether. It's more Paris-Roubaix than traditional flat sprinters stage. From stage two's Liège–Bastogne–Liège look-a-like to this stage tomorrow, these riders sure are being put through the ringer on this first week. That said, it's flat and it'll come down to the power men over the cobbles as the favorites look to avoid crashes and mechanical issues and not lose time to each other, so why couldn't Kittel keep in touch at the front and still come good in the sprint? It's conceivable, though more likely someone like Sagan or Cancellara will deliver the goods.
Of the favorites I think Nibali might enjoy this the most and could build on his slender lead. With form suggesting that Froome and Contador still have an edge on him in the high mountains it is imperative that Nibali -- and a host of other outside hopefuls for that matter -- try to do some damage now. Tomorrow is going to be fascinating to watch ... not just because of the Pave and the Roubaix-esque style of stage but because its part of a bigger picture and how it'll play out on the general classification.
Result:
1. Kittel (GIA) in 3h 36'39"
2. Kristoff (KAT)
3. Demare (FDJ)
4. Sagan (CAN)
5. Coquard (EUC)
6. Greipel (LTB) all s.t.
Overall:
1. Nibali (AST) in 17h 7'52"
2. Sagan (CAN) +2"
3. Albasini (ORI)
4. Van Avermaet (BMC)
5. Contador (TCS)
5. Froome (SKY)
6. Mollema (BKN) all s.t.