After brutal crosswinds decimated the peloton in the final 20 kilometers, Team Sunweb rider Michael Matthews emerged victorious for the second time at the 104th Tour de France, crossing the line first on Stage 16 in Romans-sur-Isere.
The early kilometers of Stage 16, after the departure from the city of Le Puy-en-Velay, were high energy and chaotic, as multiple groups of riders sought to break off the front of the peloton. Within the first 16 kilometers no breakaway groups would materialize, as the peloton approached the first of two categorized climbs on the day.
Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie), Thomas de Gendt (BMC), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis), and Thomas Degand (Wanty-Groupe Gobert) attacked at the foot of the climb on the Cote de Boussoulet, with de Gendt proving the be the strongest attacker, reaching the summit first and taking 2 points towards the polka dot jersey in the mountains classification.
Green jersey holder Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors) fell off the back of the peloton almost immediately, as Michael Matthews and Team Sunweb took hold of the main pack early in the day.
40 kilometers into the stage, Sylvain Chavanel made his move, as the French rider went off the lead group and created an individual attack in the lead.
Soon after Chavanel put in his attack, de Gendt, Edet, Degand, and Daryl Impey (Orica-Scott) were reigned in by the peloton, before Chavanel was caught as well, only 5 kilometers after his attack off the front.
Polka dot jersey holder Warren Barguil (Team Sunweb) lead the peloton up the ascent on the Col du Rouvey, and took an additional point in the mountains towards his lead in the King of the Mountains classification.
As the peloton approached the stage's only intermediate sprint of the day in Chantemerle-les-Bles, 45 kilometers from the finish in Romans-sur-Isere, teams worked to position their sprinters for the race to the line, with 20 points available for the first rider across.
Michael Matthews was able to hold off Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Merida) to capture 20 points, and close down the gap between himself and Marcel Kittel in the points classification.
In the final 20 kilometers, the peloton faced howling crosswinds that pushed to disrupt the pack.
Inside 10 kilometers remaining, the top general classification riders held strong in the front of the field, which had been decimated to only 32 riders in the intense crosswinds.
With 2 kilometers remaining, Movistar rider Daniele Bennati pushed the pace and went off the front, seeking a stage victory, but was brought back by the peloton as Michael Matthews beat out a charging Edvald Boasson Hagen in the final meters to capture his second stage victory at the 104th Tour de France.
The top five finishers on Stage 16, from first to fifth, were Michael Matthews, Edvald Boasson Hagen, John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), Greg van Avermaet (BMC), and Christopher Laporte (Cofidis).
No change occurred in the top four of the general classification as all Chris Froome (Team Sky), Fabio Aru (Astana), Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale), and Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) all finished in the lead pack. Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) fell from fifth to seventh overall however after losing 50'' on the top four.
Chris Froome will keep the yellow jersey once again as riders prepare to begin Stage 17, while Marcel Kittel retained his lead in the green jersey classification, despite Michael Matthews cutting Kittel's lead down to only 29 points.
Warren Barguil will once again wear the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains after adding to his lead on the Col du Rouvey, with Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) building on his lead in the best young rider classification.
Team Sky still holds they lead atop the team classification, sitting 10'07'' ahead of second place team AG2R La Mondiale in overall time.
Stage 17 will take the riders into the Alps for the first time at the 104th Tour de France, as the peloton travels 183 kilometers from La Mure to Serre-Chevalier.
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