Le Tour Dispatch: Stage 15

A big mountain day starting on the Col du Peyresourde was always going to be brutal, and tickets for the grupetto were punched practically from the flag drop today, as sprinters checked out for the day and left the climbers to it.

The breakaway formation phase was pretty hardcore as expected and Ben Healy wanted to be involved again, as did plenty of Frenchmen on Bastille Day, including TotalEnergies’ Jordan Jegat, local boy Bruno Armirail (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) and former yellow jersey Romain Bardet, along with yesterday’s second best breakaway trier David Gaudu, who won the first KOM and looked to be done for the day, as was the first iteration of the break, as they begun the descent and the bunch came back together again.

On the flat, bigger group of a different profile of riders got away, then solidified their advantage on the next climb and this time  Jegat remained to fly the flag for the home nation along with a host of others, including Julien Bernard, Lenny Martinez., Mathieu Burgaudeau, Nans Peters and Guillaume Martin. Healy was involved again, in a chasing group that also contained Simon Yates, and they made it across to the leaders, followed later by Healy’s teammate Richard Carapaz who fought his way across, determined to give EF Education-EasyPost a shot at a stage victory.

There was one team intent on minimising that opportunity today though, and believe it or not, it wasn’t UAE Team Emirates. No, Visma-Lease A Bike were shooting their shot, backing the form of their leader and presumably hoping to break Pogačar along with the hearts of the breakaway riders in the process.

The lead group chopped and changed with every subsequent climb, with Movistar in control at one point, with a trident of sorts, then Red Bull taking over with three riders of their own following another split, and with the like of Simon Yates and Carapaz among their number, you’d definitely have backed them to go all the way, if it wasn’t for the infernal pace-setting of the Visma bees.

The winnowing continued over subsequent climbs, with Healy working for Carapaz, cleratly tired from his exertions the previous day, and Carapaz once again clawing his way back to the front to join an elite trio of leaders- Jai Hindley, Laurens De Plus and Enric Mas. They were later joined by Tobias Johannessen.

Meanwhile the GC group was already tiny as they approached the final climb, but by the time the gradients of the Plateau de Beille kicked up, it was a refined group of only about twelve riders. Carapaz tried an attack and Mas went with him, before the lead quintet drew back together again, and despite a flurry of other attacks it was academic in the end, as with 10.4km remaining on the mountain, Vingegaard launched his do or die attack.

As the GC top ten dropped away practically in order and were left scattered down the hillside, the mano-a-mano battle for the Tour de France continued where it left off yesterday. They closed and passed the remnants of the break, Carapaz today’s hero hanging on for a while, even summoning the energy to squirt a fan who strayed too close with his water bottle. Evenepoel setting a good tempo, taking the climb at his own pace once again and not letting the pressure get to him.

Whether testing his own limits, or trying to find Pogačar’s, Vingegaard clearly felt he had to try something today, but in the end, it was the imperious Slovenian who found the strength to pull clear, and the maillot jaune went on to put time into his closest rivals, and into the record books, as he set the fastest ever time up the climb, over three minutes faster than Marco Pantani – the very rider whose Giro-Tour double record he is trying to emulate. And based on this evidence, it looks highly likely that he will achieve that goal, and add his name into the history books yet again. An outstanding, incredible solo performance, and once which will define this Tour de France as we head into week three.

FEATURE: The Real Heroes

Not all heroes wear capes, so the saying goes. But when it comes to Le Tour, they all wear lycra.

While the mainstream cycling media will yet again be reaching for their thesauruses as they reach for new vocabulary to describe the exploits of the irrepressible Tadej Pogačar, my attention was focused on the other end of the race. It struck me once again today, as it does every year after these gruelling mountain stages, how truly heroic the battles are that are waged way beyond the range of the TV cameras. Almost an hour after the maillot jaune surged triumphantly over the line at the top of the Plateau de Beille, the final rider left in the race crossed that very same line, having forced his body to complete the exact same parcours with almost 5,000m of altitude gain, despite the fact that physiologically, he just isn’t meant for this type of riding, being built instead to go very fast on flat roads.

While all eyes were on Mark Cavendish, as the Manx Missile attempts to make it through another tough mountain stage in order to win his final opportunity to sprint at the Tour, probably ever, in Nimes on Tuesday, there were riders even further back who warrant our attention. We must remember after all, that Cavendish is an absolute master of making time cuts, surrounded by a supportive team and a knowledge of his body’s limits that allow him to manage his efforts to perfection, using every minute available to him, and making it in time (usually).

Today, he was not the last man over the line. He was followed half a minute later by Movistar’s Fernando Gaviria, and another half a minute later, Arnaud Démare of Arkéa-B&B Hotels. Two more riders who, like Cav, have been there and done that when it comes to making time cuts at Grand Tours.

And then came Bram Welten. Out of the time limit. Heartbreak for the Dutchman, and yet another body blow for Team dsm-firmenich PostNL, having lost the sprinter Welten was at the race to lead out – Fabio Jakobsen – earlier in the week. He rode all the way to line, only to be told he had to go home. Just like Fred Wright a few days ago. The cruelties of this sport are sometimes a little too raw and unforgiving.

Of course, plenty more riders fought the gradients and their own physiologies – be it because they aren’t built like a 60kg climber, or because of accumulated fatigue, or lingering illness, or injuries sustained in crashes – and made it. Among their number there will be riders whose names haven’t once been mentioned on a broadcast, who haven’t been out in a breakaway, or riding for a GC leader – riders who are there to do a job, and serve a purpose – teammates, loyal domestiques and lead-out men. Every single one of them – heroes.

Out front, the heroics of Healy and Carapaz over the past couple of days have already been mentioned, but every rider who gives it their all to try to get away in a break, especially given the circumstances of late, is a goddamn hero, throwing themselves into the fray in the miniscule hope that they might be the one to go all the way. And the riders who’ve come back from horrendous injuries, who didn’t know if they’d be able to be here at all. Wout van Aert, Jonas Vingegaard, Stef Cras, Remco Evenepoel, and plenty more who’ve come back to the sport after crashes in previous seasons. Absolute heroes. Every one of you inspires me and will be inspiring countless others, all around the world. You are what sport is all about and we salute you, every one.

Stage 16: Gruissan - Nîmes

About tomorrow...

1-1-1 Things of the Tour de France

by Mathieu Fraisse

one food, one fact and one local rider, for every place on edition 111 of Le Tour

1 food: Brandade de morue

It is a mousse made from salt cod, olive oil and potatoes. It is usually served on bread or with potatoes (more potatoes!)

Originally from Alès, 40km from Nîmes, it's the Roman City and finish of Stage 16 which made it famous all around the world.

The name “Brandade” comes from the provençal word “brandar” which means “to stir”, based on how to make the recipe.

1 rider: Laurent Jalabert

This one's a bit far fetched, as Laurent Jalabert was born more than a hour away from Gruissan start line but it would have been a shame not to mention the last French rider to win a Grand Tour.

Despite not having won the Tour de France since 1985, France's last Grand Tour win is a bit more recent as Jalabert won the Vuelta a España back in 1995. He also won the mountain and points classifications during this Vuelta!

Jalabert is also known for having won 27 GT stages, 6 classics, Paris-Nice (three times) and for being one of the few riders to have won both points classification and mountain classification in a Grand Tour!

1 fact: When a duck won you a car!

Sunday, June 2nd the majestic Pont du Gard welcomed a rather unusual event: a duck race!

Rest assured, no real ducks were harmed as we're talking about rubber ducks! 

30,000 yellow rubber ducks were unleashed on the water, going under the famous Roman bridge, and the owner of the duck finishing first won a car! 

Even if this year's edition is already over, mark your calendars for next year's race! Duck Pieterse, Rudy Mallard or Quackob Fuglsang on the start line… Who's your pick to end up in yellow? 👀

STAGE PREVIEW

After the storm, the calm. Yes, a rest day followed by a flat stage is just what the doctor ordered for what remains of the peloton, and a final chance for the sprinters, of whom many still remain, and all will be chomping at the bit to take home the glory at the final time of asking. Looking at the profile, there’s nothing for them to be overly concerned about, though the seemingly ever-present crosswind threat may be something to look out for.

Whatever happens, at first glance I couldn't see any outcome other than a bunch sprint finish, as the race heads east up the southern coast of France, as there are so many sprinters still present who’ve turned themselves inside out to make it through the Pyrenees for their final opportunity. But on second thoughts, consider the selection of riders who may hope to challenge this – the rouleurs and breakaway artists who will be eying this final opportunity before the race heads back into the Alps – think Asgreen and Mohorič in 2023. Yes, the non-climbers among the bunch will have an eye on stage 16 and will hope they can take on the sprint teams, and win. This stage really could be the bunch versus breakaway chase we’ve been hoping for all race.

WBR Team Predictions:

Mathieu: 3 years ago this one was for Nils Politt but I think we're on for a 2nd rest day with a bunch sprint where Ackermann finally wins before all the sprinters except Girmay go home :p

Anna: Arnaud de Lie finally gets his chance

Sam: Pogačar hasn’t won a sprint stage yet, why deprive the poor lad (no, I’m not bitter, you’re bitter)

Stine: Wout. I don't care. Him and me are both overdue for a win. Abrahamsen if breakaway.

Before you go...

REST DAY RIDDLES - by Sam Mould

1. Cycle-Logical

Ready to put your sleuthing skills to the test and unveil the hidden persona of a professional cyclist hidden within this intricate puzzle? Each clue provided is a crucial piece of the puzzle that will lead you to the identities of three riders. With the deduction grid at your fingertips, you can narrow down the possibilities and crack the case. Are you up for the challenge?

Here's the game plan:

As you solve each clue and identity a rider, mark your findings by ticking the corresponding box and crossing out the options that no longer fit. Pay close attention to details like nationality, team colors, and bike brands as you eliminate choices. The process will eventually reveal the third and final cyclist's identity through the process of elimination.

So, are you ready to delve into this enigma and tackle the challenge head-on? Let's put your detective skills to the test and see if you have what it takes to unravel the mystery and expose the true identities of these elusive pro-cyclists. Best of luck on your quest!

2. Anagrams

1. Teammate merger

Until tomorrow, au revoir!