Pontier left last from Aussois (as the start was in the inverse ranking of the previous order) on a more moderate pace than his contenders. He took it so easy at the beginning that his supporters were worrying not to see him coming. But on the same pattern he followed yesterday, Pontier started to slowly passed all the other teams until he joined Luque and followed him. When he decided, he called the dogs and left Salva Luque behind. With a lead that is close to half an hour, he is now sure to keep his third place.

Running the same pace of the French, Milos Gonda has preserved his second place but hasn't been able to close the gap on Havrda. Hat off to Salva Luque who will have no regret as he has tried anything.

Here are the times at the half stage:

Milos Gonda 4 20 43

Jean-Philippe Pontier 4 20 50

Radek Havrda 4 27 10

Salva Luque 4 28 57

Jimmy Petterson 4 35 55

Miloslav Mikolasek 4 50 21

Jack-Gérard Gaspard 4 55 40

Daniel Juillaguet 5 07 38

Isabelle Travadon 5 08 38

Jean Combazard 5 26 34

Miquel Angel Martinez 5 34 02

Jaco Alex Ulmann 5 44 15

Thomas Hoffmann 8 36 22