Directeur sportif Giuseppe Martinelli explained according to Cyclingnews that Nibali would struggle to repeat his gains of a year ago simply because of the different circumstances of the day. Tony Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) was strong and wanted really to win the stage in order to wear the yellow jersey. And about the Big Four, they are neutralized themselves.

"I think all of the teams were a bit better prepared compared to last year, the cobbles weren’t as difficult as last year and the good weather changed everything too", Martinelli said. "If you don’t have luck on your side, not a lot can happen in a situation like that. Lars Boom punctured on the second section of cobbles, too, and we lost an important man. In the end, the main thing was that nothing happened to Vincenzo."

Chris Froome delivered a strong stage on radically different terrain to the Mur de Huy. "He was strong yesterday and maybe even stronger today. I thought before that Quintana was the man to beat, but now Froome is really the strongest at this moment", Martinelli said. "Right now he’s certainly the strongest."