Up and down all day and it’s live on TV from start to finish. This is a promising stage given the hilly terrain suits a breakaway and the difficulty of the Grand Colombier, climbed twice in the finish.
Tour de France
Tour de France Stage 14 Preview
A likely sprint finish but an uncertain outcome. Mark Cavendish has proved the best sprinter so far yet each of his wins has been a surprise rather than an inevitability. With time and flat roads running out this is a high pressure stage for the likes of Katusha, Lotto-Soudal, Lotto-Jumbo and Direct Energie who all want and need a stage win.
Tour de France Stage 13 Preview
After the summit finish and the chaos here’s the simple inevitability of a time trial and the promise of an indisputable outcome.
The Running Man
Have you ever seen anything like it? Chris Froome is seen running up Mont Ventoux in his yellow jersey. It was an extraordinary image, the race leader bereft of his bike as he ran past the cheering crowds.
Here’s a look at what happened and an attempt to make sense of it all.
Mont Ventoux’s Summit Fever
A recent geographical survey says Mont Ventoux is not as high as previously thought. The road at the top is lower than 1900m despite signs proclaiming it sits at 1911m. It’s tempting to imagine Mont Ventoux collapsing under the weight of clichés piled on every time the Tour de France visits. It’s telling that if nobody can agree the height then there’s space on the mountain for dreams, mysteries and more. No other venue seems to capture the imagination.
Tour de France Stage 12 Preview
The return of the mythical Mont Ventoux, home to fantasies, legends and clichés – more of which later today. There’s a race on and a decisive summit finish. The final climb has been abbreviated because of the windy conditions and this only means more stress on the approach roads.
Tour de France Stage 11 Preview
A stage to Montpellier, almost a copy of a stage from 2011 won by Mark Cavendish. A sprint finish is likely and crosswinds are forecast again.
Rest Day Wrap
Most people visit Andorra for the skiing or to buy tax-free cigarettes so the Tour de France’s summer visit makes an odd choice. As the race prepares to leave the Pyrenees here’s a look back at the opening phase of the race and a quick take on what’s coming up.
Tour de France Stage 9 Preview
The first summit finish of the race, a 184km stage with almost 5,000m of vertical gain. It’s all live on TV from start to finish.