With every rider forced to go solo, losing a top spot in the general classification would be a devastating blow to the team.
After Stage 7 concluded, Stage 8 was another flat stage.
The riders would travel from Semur-en-Auxois to Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises, a total distance of 183.4 km.
However, this stage was different from the purely flat route of S6. It featured not only two Third Category Climbs but also three Fourth Category Climbs.
Moreover, the entire route was full of repetitive, short, rolling hills, though none were particularly difficult.
Of course, the sprinters had all taken it easy and rested during the Stage 7 ITT. No one would be foolish enough to waste energy on a meaningless time trial.
So, after their rest, this group could easily keep up with the peloton and stay with them to the finish, even on a rolling route like today's.
