Pau — German Marcel Kittel was once again a cut above as he claimed his fifth victory in 2017’s Tour de France, winning the 11th stage in emphatic style on Wednesday. The Quick-Step Floors rider, who has 14 stages to his name, left it late to launch his sprint but easily beat Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data). Boasson Hagen raised his arms as if he had won but was comprehensively beaten by Kittel and Groenewegen after the 203.5km stage from Eymet. Britain’s Chris Froome retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey on a relaxed day for the defending champion from Team Sky. Some of his rivals did not have a quiet day, though. Three of the main contenders crashed as 2016’s runner-up Romain Bardet, third overall, Jakob Fuglsang (fifth) and twice-winner Alberto Contador (12th) hit the deck. Fuglsang was involved in a crash at the feed zone and went to the medical car to have his wrist checked, while his Astana teammate Dario Cata...
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