Just one of today’s many rain-soaked spectators…

Back to a sprint day, and along with it came a big return of the rain– not sprinkles, but heavy downpour.  Every cyclist knows wet roads mean more tire punctures and higher crash risk, and today was no exception.  Add to this two very sharp turns into the finish on water-logged pavement, and predictions for the end of stage 19 quickly proved dicey, to say the least.

Would he finally, we asked?  Perhaps getting poised for another shot, all of a sudden– pile-up crash!  Thankfully for all involved, it happened within three kilometers of the finish line, meaning each rider gets the same time for the day as their group.  Still, not exactly the big return he was hoping, but rather another stage win dashed for “poor” Peter Sagan, courtesy of a rain-plagued wipe out.  Instead, a well-earned victory du jour emerged for Team Garmin-Sharp.

        
(Photo Credit: AP)