Brief threadjack: Peter Sagan of Tinkoff-Saxo bridged to a two-man breakaway of home-country riders to launch what turned into another incredible act of strength and instinct, and of course a sprit victory. On a wet course, Sagan chose not to wait for the bunch arrival, instead joining BMC's Sylvan Dillier and Orica-GreenEdge's Michael Albasini as they launched a credible attack in the closing circuits. Gambling on the two Swiss riders' interest in staying away, Sagan formed a three-man effort that made a 15-second gap hold to the line, a full 9km of riding, and then only just by a few seconds, as Sagan's companions eventually stuck him on the front when it became clear they were joining a gunfight to the line, packing only water pistols. Albasini did launch his own sprint, enough to give Sagan a bit of shelter after out-hammering a chasing peloton led by Eitxx-Quick Step's Zdenek Stybar, and Sagan stuck on Albasini long enough to come past him in the final 50 meters. The win gave Sagan the overall lead as well, by three seconds over overnight leader Jurgen Roelands.
For the World Champion, it was his second consecutive stage victory, his fourth since coming back from a one-month rest, and his seventh on the year. That it came on a tough, rainy day on a wet, twisting course made it all the more reminiscent of his Classics prowess. This was no easy day in the saddle. It was a challenge, and when Sagan threw it down, nobody could respond.
Results:
GC:
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Grosswangen - Rheinfelden 192.6 km
More "gentle" terrain followed by a likely sprint early in the week.
Gross wang of the day: Fernando Gaviria
Etixx won't let him screw up like that two days in a row so Sagan and Matthews had better look out.