Joined by special guest Andy Craze. Stage 15 was of massive impact to this years Tour de France. Egan Bernal cracked at the start of the Grand Colombier and is yellow jersey hopes are lost. Tadej Pogacar wins another stage with Primoz Roglic right on his heels. Richie Porte shows that he is here with intention of a podium, and at a minimum his 2nd top 10 finish before transferring back to Ineos.
Early in the stage we lost Sergio Higuita, the Colombian national champion after a collision resulting from Bob Jungels. A huge loss for the EF team. Sam Bennett gained 2 points in his green jersey lead moving to 45 point advantage.
The troubles for France continued as Guillame Martin had a mechanical at the base of the Grand Colombier, ultimately losing 3:25 and continuing to ride outside the top 10. Nairo Quintana lost big time today dropping down to 9th, cracking before Bernal but paring his losses. Here is how the GC looks now:
- 1) Roglic
- 2) Pogacar +40
- 3) Uran +1:34
- 4) Lopez +1:45
- 5) Yates + 2:03
- 6) Porte +2:13
- 7) Landa + 2:16
- 8) Mas + 3:15
- 9) Quintana + 5:08
- 10) Dumoulin + 5:12
Covid testing resumes tomorrow with all teams starting again from a clean slate on the second rest day bofore we continue the journey in the mountains. Look out for the queen stage 17 at Meribel where we will have two HC climbs, both are either longer or steeper than the Grand Colombier.