Belkin Pro Cycling Team fought in the first 100 kilometres of the Tour de France stage today to Lyon and relaxed in the second half, keeping one eye on Mont Ventoux tomorrow. After 191 kilometres, the Dutch WorldTour team remains at the top with Bauke Mollema in second and Laurens ten Dam in fifth place.

“It was not easy today with the climbs at the start of the stage and almost every team fighting to make it in the escape,” Laurens ten Dam explained. “Once the escape went, the race settled down for us. My legs are feeling great and I hope to do well tomorrow on Mont Ventoux.”

Robert Gesink continues his steady improvement as the Tour carries on:

“The breakaway went today and we were able to calm down. With the climbs today, though, it was hard to take it easy. Maybe it looks like we are taking it easy on TV, but it’s hot and hard out there. I'm improving every day, which is great ahead of the mountains.”

Belkin team leader Bauke Mollema also found solace in a relatively relaxed final on the day prior to the infamous Mont Ventoux.

“Today was easy, at least the final,” Bauke Mollema said. “The start was hard, though. It went full gas in the peloton until the escape went. I saw my rivals riding today, but you can't get an idea of how they're feeling. They were always in the front, but since it was an easy day, you can't gauge them. After yesterday, I felt that I recovered well. It was nice to have an easier final today ahead of Mont Ventoux.”