Caleb Ewan edged his maiden Tour de France victory as he claimed a thrilling sprint on stage 11 into Toulouse. On a fairly sedate day that started in Albi, the Lotto-Soudal rider tracked Team Jumbo-Visma’s Dylan Groenewegen in the finale and came around the Dutchman before pipping him on the line.
Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Elia Viviani was third on the day on the final stage before the race heads into the Pyrenees. Thursday’s stage 12 sees the peloton tackle a 209.5km Parcours from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre, including ascents of the Category 1 climbs of the Col de Peyresoude and Hourquette d’Ancizan.
Viviani’s team-mate Julien Alaphilippe will again start the day in yellow, a minute and 12 seconds ahead of defending champion Geraint Thomas, with fellow Team Ineos rider Egan Bernal four seconds further adrift.
Wednesday belonged to Ewen though, and after some near misses, the Australian was relieved to finally get over the line. “I can’t believe it,” the 25-year-old said. “I have been close in the last four sprints I have done. “My team never lost faith in me and I never lost faith in myself.”
