Category — Le Tour

Cluses > Tignes

Distance: 144.9 kilometers.

Definitely a Mountain stage with two Cat 2, two Cat 1, and an Hors Catégorie.

• Côte de Domancy 19.6 km (cat 2: 2.5km @ 9.4%)
• Col des Saisies 49.4 km (cat 1: 9.4km @ 6.2%)
• Col du Pré 80.9 km(Hors Catégorie: 12.6km @ 7.7%)
• Cormet de Roselend 93.3 km (cat 2: 5.7km @ 6.5%)
• Montée de Tignes 143.0 km (cat 1: 21.0km @ 5.6%)

The intermediate sprint is at 32.7 km at Praz-sur-Arly.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 34 hours 11 minutes 10 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Nairo Quintana (ARK – 136) [Polka Dot] 50 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 4*

Stage winner: Ben O’Connor (ACT – 124)
Combative: Ben O’Connor (ACT – 124 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*Number 2 wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

After a run of stages with no losses, two riders didn’t start, three withdrew, and seven were outside the time limit. Tomorrow is a Rest Day.

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Oyonnax > Le Grand-Bornand

Distance: 150.8 kilometers.

Definitely a Mountain stage with a Cat 3, a Cat 4, and three Cat 1 climbs.

• Côte de Copponex 61.9 km (cat 3: 6.5km @ 4.4%)
• Côte de Menthonnex-en-Bornes 72.5 km (cat 4: 2.7km @ 4.9%)
• Côte de Mont-Saxonnex 104.0 km(cat 1: 5.7km @ 8.3%)
• Col de Romme 122.1 km (cat 1: 8.8km @ 8.9%)
• Col de Colombière 136.1 km (cat 1: 7.5km @ 8.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 44.8 km at Frangy.

In additions to the mountains there was rain to make the descents “interesting”. This was a very good day for Tadej Pogačar who has captured the Yellow, but also for Team Bahrain Victorious which now leads the Teams competition, and whose riders won the stage, the Red Numbers, and the Polka Dots. Three of the top four climbers are on Team Bahrain Victorious.

Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [Yellow] 29 hours 38 minutes 25 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Wouter Poels (TBV – 166) [Polka Dot] 23 points
Jonas Vingegaard (TJV – 018) [White] 5*

Stage winner: Dylan Teuns (TBV – 167)
Combative: Wouter Poels (TBV – 166 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

*Number 2 wearing the White as Number 1 is wearing Yellow.

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Vierzon > Le Creusot

Distance: 249.1 kilometers.

A Hilly stage with two Cat 4s, two Cat 3s, and a Cat 2 climb.

• Côte de Château-Chinon 161.5 km (cat 3: 3.2km @ 5.3%)
• Côte de Glux-en-Glenne 178.2 km (cat 4: 2.6km @ 4.2%)
• Côte de la Croix de la Libération 213.8 km(cat 3: 4.6km @ 5.3%)
• Signal d’Uchon 231.0 km (cat 2: 5.7km @ 5.7%)
• Côte de la Gourloye 241.2 km (cat 4: 2.4km @ 5.3%)

The intermediate sprint is at 115.4 km at Saint-Benin-d’Azy.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101) [Yellow] 25 hours 39 minutes 47 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 168 Points
Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165) [Polka Dot] 11 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 5

Stage winner: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165)
Combative: Matej Mohoric (TBV – 165 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

A very good day for Matej Mohoric – the stage, the Polka Dots, and the Red numbers. Not so good for Tadej Pogačar who lost 3 minutes 35 seconds and dropped from 2nd to 5th – mountains are not his friends.

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Tours > Châteauroux

Distance: 160.6 kilometers.

A Flat stage with a single Cat 4 climb.

• Côte de Saint-Aignan 72.6 km (cat 4: 2.1km @ 2.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 104.3 km at Luçay-le-Mâle.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101) [Yellow] 20 hours 09 minutes 17 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055) [Green] 148 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078) [Polka Dot] 5 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001) [White] 2

Stage winner: Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055)
Combative: Greg Van Avermaet (ACT – 128 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

This was Mark Cavendish’s 32nd stage win on the Tour, only 2 short of the legendary Eddy Merckx’s record and Cav’s third win in Châteauroux. This is also the second stage without withdrawals.

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Changé > Laval Espace Mayenne

Distance: 27.2 kilometers.

An Indivual Time Trial stage with no climbs. Intermediate times are taken at Saint-Jean-sur-Mayenne (8.8 km) and Bonchamp-lès-Laval (21.2 km). Riders leave the start every 1½ minutes (about 4½ hours for all of the riders to start, and under an hour to the finish.)

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101 ) [Yellow] 16 hours 51 minutes 41 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055 ) [Green] 89 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Polka Dot] 5 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001 )
Team: Jumbo – Visma ( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

Tadej Pogačar’s average speed was 51 kph (about 30 mph). This was the first stage in this year’s Tour without accidents or withdrawals. Everyone started and finished the stage. The sign waver who caused the major accident on Stage 1 is in custody.

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Redon > Fougères

Distance: 150.4 kilometers.

A real “Flat” stage with no climbs.

The intermediate sprint is at 114.4 km at Vitré.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101 ) [Yellow] 16 hours 19 minutes 10 seconds
Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055 ) [Green] 89 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Polka Dot] 5 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001 ) [White] 6

Stage winner: Mark Cavendish (DQT – 055 )
Combative: Brent Van Moer (LTS – 158 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

Caleb Ewan (LTS – 151 ) did not start as a result of a broken shoulder blade in one of many crashes. Geraint Thomas (IGD – 021 ) dislocated his right shoulder in a separate accident yesterday, but a medic popped it back into the socket.

As a result of all of the crashes, the riders stopped for a full minute in protest of the conditions on the route.

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Lorient > Pontivy

Distance: 182.9 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with two Cat 4 climbs

• Côte de Cadoudal 91.1 km (cat 4: 1.7km @ 6.3%)
• Côte de Pluméliau 148.6 km (cat 4: 2.2km @ 3.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 118.3 km at La Fourchette.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101 ) [Yellow] 12 hours 58 minutes 53 seconds
Julian Alaphilippe (DQT – 051 ) [Green] 80 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Polka Dot] 5 points
Tadej Pogačar (UAD – 001 ) [White] 6

Stage winner: Tim Merlier (AFC – 103 )
Combative: Michael Schär (ACT – 127 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Bahrain Victorious ( TBV – 161-168 ) [Yellow numbers]

Another demolition derby on narrow, wet, wandering roads. The carnage continued to the finish line. When you are riding 30+ mph on a bicycle almost everything can land you in the road.

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Perros-Guirec > Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan

Distance: 183.5 kilometers.

A “Hilly” stage with four Cat 4 and two Cat 3 climbs and a finish at the summit of the final climb:

• Côte de Sainte-Barbe 72.8 km (cat 4: 900 m @ 6.6%)
• Côte de Pordic 103.2 km (cat 4: 2.1km @ 3.2%)
• Côte de Saint-Brieuc 115.3 km(cat 4: 1.0km @ 8.0%)
• Côte du village de Mûr-de-Bretagne 165.2 km (cat 4: 1.6km @ 4.1%)
• Mûr-de-Bretagne 168.2 km (cat 3: 2.0km @ 6.9%)
• Mûr-de-Bretagne Guerlédan 185.3 km (cat 3: 2.0km @ 6.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 85.0 km at Plouha.

Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101 ) [Yellow] 8 hours 57 minutes 25 seconds
Julian Alaphilippe (DQT – 051 ) [Green] 66 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Polka Dot] 4 points*
Tadej Pogačar ( Slo – UAD – 001 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Mathieu Van Der Poel (AFC – 101 )
Combative: Edward Theuns (TFS – 048 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

At the end they climbed the same peak (Mûr-de-Bretagne) twice.

*Van der Poel is actually the lead climber and Schelling is number two. If a rider qualifies for two or more Jerseys, he chooses the one he will wear and number two in the other categories wear the jerseys of those categories.

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Brest > Landerneau

Distance: 197.8 kilometers.

A “Hilly” stage with four Cat 4 and two Cat 3 climbs and a finish at the summit of the final climb:

• Côte de Trébéolin 8.6 km (cat 4: 900 m @ 5.1%)
• Côte de Rosnoën 27.2 km (cat 4: 3.0km @ 4.0%)
• Côte de Locronan 61.5 km (cat 3: 900 m @ 9.3%)
• Côte de Stang Ar Garront 115 km (cat 4: 2.0km @ 3.4%)
• Côte de Saint-Rivoal 150.7 km (cat 4: 2.5km @ 3.9%)
• Côte de la Fosse aux Loups 197.8 km (cat 3: 3.0km @ 5.7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 135.1 km at Brasparts.

Multiple crashes resulting in three withdrawals today and possible “Did Not Starts” tomorrow. The largest was caused by a woman waving a sign that distracted riders and caused a massive crash. Lawyers have been consulted and Le Tour says law suits will be filed.

Julian Alaphilippe (DQT – 051 ) [Yellow] 4 hours 38 minutes 55 seconds
Michael Matthews (BEX – 171 ) [Green] 43 Points
Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Polka Dot] 3 points
Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 001 ) [White] 6

Stage winner: Julian Alaphilippe (DQT – 051 )
Combative: Ide Schelling (BOH – 078 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Jumbo – Visma( TJV – 011-018 ) [Yellow numbers]

BBC Sport profiles all 21 stages of Tour de France 2021 for previews of coming attractions.

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Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the race starts with the Grand Départ on 26 June in Brest and will finish on 18 July in Paris, so I thought I should explain some of what I’ll be ranting about.

The cartoon characters from my header are wearing the various colored jerseys that indicate the leader in the different classifications in the race.

The Maillot Jaune, Yellow Jersey is worn by the rider with the lowest time overall in the race. The eventual winner of the race may never have come in first in any stage, but was near the lead throughout the race and achieved the lowest time over the entire course of the event. The winner is normally an “all-arounder”, someone is very good at the sprints and the hill climbing, even if they aren’t the best. “All-arounders” show up on the lists of the sprinters and the climbers, while staying in the top ten for overall time.

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Mantes-la-Jolie > Paris Champs-Ẻlysées

Distance: 122 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with a single Cat 4 climb to a bunch sprint finish. The intermediate sprint is at 82 km at Paris Haut des Champs-Ẻlysées.

• Côte de Beulle 13.5 km (cat 4: 2.3km @ 3.6%)

Sam Bennett confirmed his hold on the Green Jersey by winning the final sprint in Paris.

That’s the only jersey that doesn’t belong to Tadej Pogacar:

1st Slovenian to win Le Tour
1st rider to dominate the overall, KOM and Best Young Rider standings in the same edition
1st rookie to win overall since 1983
Youngest winner since 1904 (he’ll be 22 tomorrow)

Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [Yellow] 87 hours 20 minutes 05 seconds
Sam Bennett ( Irl – DQT – 043 ) [Green] 380 Points
Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [Polka Dot] 82 points
Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [White] 1

Stage winner: Sam Bennett ( Irl – DQT – 043 )
Super Combative: Marc Hirschi ( Swi – SUN – 204 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 091-098 ) [Yellow numbers]
La Lanterne Rouge: Roger Kluge ( Ger – LTS – 158 ) + 06h 07′ 02″ Φ

List of finishers below the fold
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Lure > La Planche des Belles Filles

Distance: 36.2 kilometers.

An “Individual time-trial” stage with a single Cat 1 climb to a summit finish. There are two time checks – La Raddon 14.5 km and Plancher-les-Mines 30.3 km.

• La Planche des Belles Filles 82 km (cat 1: 5.9km @ 8.5%)

Tadej Pogacar scored a ‘hat trick’ winning all three jerseys (Yellow, White, and Polka Dot) with his time trial. He won Yellow & White with his number 1 position the General Classification and the Polka Dot by scoring 82 points climbing. This is his Tour.

Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [Yellow] 84 hours 26 minutes 33 seconds
Sam Bennett ( Irl – DQT – 043 ) [Green] 319 Points
Richard Carapaz ( Ecu – INS – 003 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points*
Enric Mas Nicolau ( Spa – MOV – 094 ) [White] 5*

NOTE: * = wearing the Jerseys.

Stage winner: Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 )
Combative: N/A for time trials
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 091-098 ) [Yellow numbers]

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Bourg-en-Bresse > Champagnole

Distance: 166.5 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with 1 climb. The intermediate sprint is at 117.5 km at Mournans. It’s a downhill finish.

• Côte de Château-Chalon 82 km (cat 4: 4.3km @ 4.7%)

Primož Roglic ( Slo – TJV – 011 ) [Yellow] 83 hours 29 minutes 41 seconds
Sam Bennett ( Irl – DQT – 043 ) [Green] 319 Points
Richard Carapaz ( Ecu – INS – 003 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Søren Kragh Andersen ( Den – SUN – 205 )
Combative: Rémi Cavagna ( Fra – DQT – 044 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 091-098 ) [Yellow numbers]

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Méribel > La Roche-sur-Foron

Distance: 175 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with 5 climbs. The intermediate sprint is at 14 km at Aime. It’s a downhill finish.

• Cormet de Roselend 46 km (cat 1: 18.6km @ 6.1%)
• Côte de la route des Villes 67.5 km (cat 3: 3.2km @ 6.6%)
• Col des Saisies 91 km (cat 2: 14.6km @ 6.4%)
• Col des Aravis 117.5 km (cat 1: 6.7km @ 7.0%)
• Montée du Plateau des Glières 143.5 km (HC: 6.0km @ 11.2%)

Primož Roglic ( Slo – TJV – 011 ) [Yellow] 74 hours 56 minutes 04 seconds
Sam Bennett ( Irl – DQT – 043 ) [Green] 298 Points
Richard Carapaz ( Ecu – INS – 003 ) [Polka Dot] 74 points
Tadej Pogacar ( Slo – UAD – 131 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – INS – 005 )
Combative: Marc Hirschi ( Swi – SUN – 204 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 091-098 ) [Yellow numbers]

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