12:05 p.m.
For the first time, Huang Chong lined up in the White Jersey starting slot at the front of the peloton and began today's race.
Having started from the Yellow Jersey slot for twelve consecutive stages, switching positions today gave him a taste of the highs and lows of racing.
But without question, the four jersey holders starting at the front of the peloton today basically represented the strongest riders in every category of this Tour de France.
Overall classification Yellow Jersey: Pogačar. Points classification Green Jersey: Biniam Girmay.
King of the Mountains Polka-Dot Jersey, passed down: Vingegaard.
Best Young Rider White Jersey: Huang Chong.
As for Evenepoel, who had started at the front of the group in the passed-down White Jersey for the previous twelve stages, he naturally returned to the main peloton.
Then, as the race official at the starting point fired the starter's gun, the race officially began.
As usual, for the first three-plus kilometers, the peloton followed the lead race car in a ceremonial ride, giving the riders time and space to adjust their formations.
Aside from the riders wearing the four leader's jerseys, anyone hoping to break away today would push toward the front during this ceremonial ride.
The other riders, meanwhile, formed up according to their teams and, the moment the lead car moved aside, immediately shifted into acceleration mode.
Today's breakaway lineup was clearly stronger than yesterday's, and much larger in number.
Of course, because this stage's only intermediate sprint was set at the 37-kilometer mark, reachable after clearing the first Category 1 climb, the sprinters naturally launched their full-speed attacks right away.
Huang Chong, wearing the White Jersey, naturally could not remain at the very front once the main peloton began accelerating.
After competing in the UCI WorldTour for half a