Category — Le Tour

Nice > Sisteron

Distance: 198 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with four climbs and a generally downhill race to the finish in the Maritime Alps.

• Col du Pilon 55.0 km (cat 3: 8.4km @ 5.1%)
• Col de la Faye 63.5 km (cat 3: 5.3km @ 4.8%)
• Col des Lèques 117.5 km (cat 3: 6.9km @ 5.4%)
• Col de l’Orme 152.5 km (cat 4: 2.7km @ 5.0%)

The intermediate sprint is at 160.5 km at Digne-les-Bains. The sprint starts after cresting the Col de l’Orme and continues for 46 km to the finish line.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 041 ) [Yellow] 13h 59′ 17″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 021 ) [Green] 79 Points
Benoit Cosnefroy ( Fra – ALM – 033 ) [Polka Dot] 21 points
Marc Hirschi( Swi – SUN – 204 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 151 )
Combative: Jerome Cousin ( Fra – TDE – 184 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 101-108 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Nice Haut Pays > Nice

Distance: 186 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with three climbs and a downhill race finish.

• Col de la Colmiane 63.5 km (cat 1: 16.3km @ 6.3%)
• Col de Turini 99.5 km (cat 1: 14.9km @ 7.4%)
• Col d’Eze 153.0 km (cat 2: 7.8km @ 6.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 16 km at Lac du Broc.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 041 ) [Yellow] 8h 41′ 35″
Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – UAD – 135 ) [Green] 64 Points
Benoit Cosnefroy ( Fra – ALM – 033 ) [Polka Dot] 18 points
Marc Hirschi ( Swi – SUN – 204 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 041 )
Combative: Benoit Cosnefroy ( Fra – ALM – 033 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 101-108 ) [Yellow numbers]

The entire field below the fold
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Nice Moyen Pays > Nice

Distance: 156 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with two climbs of the same mountain and a sprint race finish.

• Côte de Rimiez 48.5 km (cat 3: 5.8km @ 5.1%)
• Côte de Rimiez 97.0 km (cat 3: 5.8km @ 5.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 88 km at the second time they pass the finishing line. They are circling Nice three times.

The finish is a bunched sprint on the Promenade des Anglais.

It was a demolition derby on the rain-slick course with vetern rider Alexander Kristoff winning the right to wear the Yellow Jersey for the first time in his career.

Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – UAD – 135 ) [Yellow] 3h 46′ 13″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 021 ) [Green] 29 Points
Fabien Grellier ( Fra – TDE – 185 ) [Polka Dot] 2 points
Mads Pedersen ( Den – TFS – 105 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Alexander Kristoff ( Nor – UAD – 135 )
Combative: Michael Schar ( Swi – CCC – 116 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 101-108 ) [Yellow numbers]

[Note: they have changed their reporting formats, so it will take me some time to adjust. Only 175 riders finished. John Degenkolb (Ger – LTS – 155) was unable to make the time limit after an accident stopped his progress.]

Because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the race starts on 29 August in Nice and will finish on 20 September 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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Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées

Distance: 128 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage with two climbs and a sprint race finish.

• Côte de Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse 34 km (cat 4: 1.3km @ 6.1%)
• Côte de Châteaufort 38 km (cat 4: 0.9km @ 4.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 89.5 km, Paris – Haut des Champs-Élysées

The final 56 kilometers of the race are 8 circuits of a 7 kilometer oval on the Champs-Élysées. This is strictly for the serious sprinters looking for the glory of a Paris stage win. The General Classification riders would be wise to leave the inside track to the sprinters to avoid a crash.

Caleb Ewan takes his third stage win on the final stage. Egan Bernal took the Yellow, White, and was only 8 points shy of taking the Polka Dots away from Romain Bardet. Peter Sagan took his seventh Green Jersey.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 82h 57′ 00″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 316 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 1

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 161 )
Super Combative: Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]
La Lanterne Rouge: Sebastian Langeveld ( Ned – EF1 – 095 ) + 04h 34′ 23″ Φ

Final Standings below the fold
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Albertville > Val Thorens

Distance: 59.5 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with one climb and a summit finish.

• Val Thorens 59.5 km (HC: 33.4km @ 5.4%)

Because of weather and road conditions on the original route of the stage, the Category 1 climb over the Cormet de Roseland was eliminated which reduced the stage by 71 kilometers.

If nothing major occurs tomorrow,Egan Bernal will take home both the Yellow and White Jerseys. Geraint Thomas has moved up to second place as Julian Alaphilippe dropped to fifth. Peter Sagan is set to win his seventh Green Jersey and Romain Bardet remains 8 points of ahead of Egan Bernal for the Polka Dots.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 79h 52′ 52″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
David Gaudu ( Fra – GFC – 053 ) [White] 13

Stage winner: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – TBM – 041 )
Combative: Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – TBM – 041 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Complete Listing below the fold
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Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Tignes Col de l’Iseran

Distance: 126.5 89 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with five four climbs and a sprint summit finish.

• Côte de Saint-André 25 km (cat 3: 3.1km @ 6.8%)
• Montée d’Aussois 38 km (cat 2: 6.5km @ 6.2%)
• Col de la Madeleine 63.5 km (cat 3: 3.9km @ 5.6%)
• Col de l’Iseran-Souvenir Henri Desgrange 89 km (HC: 12.9km @ 7.5%)
• Montée de Tignes 124.5 km (cat 1: 7.4km @ 7%)

The intermediate sprint is at 68.5 km, Bessans.

Lots of Polka Dot points on this stage and €5,000 for the first to the summit of Col de l’Iseran

When Egan Bernal arrived atop the Col de l’Iseran he got Polka Dot points, €5,000, and, it would turn out, the Yellow Jersey. A powerful thunderstorm with hail and intense rain roared through the valley between Col de l’Iseran and Montée de Tignes leaving hailstones on the roads and causing mudslides. The only vehicles moving were front loaders, so the race officials stopped the race. Race times were calculated to the summit of Col de l’Iseran and no stage winner or Red Number rider were declared.

Bernal qualifies for both the Yellow and the White jerseys, but the White will be worn by the second place young rider, David Gaudu. Thibaut Pinot, who was a main competitor for the Yellow Jersey had to withdraw due to a leg muscle strain or tear.

Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [Yellow] 78h 00′ 42″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
David Gaudu ( Fra – GFC – 053 ) [White] 13

Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Embrun > Valloire

Distance: 208 kilometers.

A “Mountain” stage with four climbs and a downhill sprint finish.

• Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées 13 km (cat 3: 3.9km @ 5.2%)
• Col de Vars 82.5 km (cat 1: 9.3km @ 7.5%)
• Col d’Izoard 133 km (HC: 14.1km @ 7.3%)
• Col du Galibier 189 km (HC: 23km @ 5.1%)

The intermediate sprint is at 45 km, Les Thuiles.

Lots of Polka Dot points on this stage.

Nairo Quintana’s childhood in the Andes becomes obvious in the Alps as he takes his first stage win in this Tour. The same training allowed Egan Bernal to leap over Geraint Thomas into second place by reducing his GC deficit by 32 seconds. Bernal has a lock on White and could get Yellow if he hangs in the breakaways.

Romain Bardet is 12 points ahead of Tim Wellens in the King of the Mountains.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 75h 18′ 49″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Romain Bardet ( Fra – ALM – 031 ) [Polka Dot] 86 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 2

Stage winner: Nairo Quintana ( Col – MOV – 061 )
Combative: Greg Van Avermaet ( Bel – CCC – 111 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Pont du Gard > Gap

Distance: 200 kilometers.

A “Hilly” stage with two categorized climbs and a downhill sprint finish.

• Côte de la Rochette-du-Buis 104.5 km (cat 4: 5.2km @ 5.4%)
• Col de la Sentinelle 191.5 km (cat 3: 11.4km @ 7.8%)

The intermediate sprint is at 62 km, Vaison-la-Romaine which is under an Excessive Heat Warning for triple digit Fahrenheit air temperatures.

This was the last stage for the sprinters to show their abilities before the Tour hits the Alps for three days of climbing. The Peloton was on cruise control saving its energy for the mountains. Matteo Trentin won the stage and the Red Numbers with his attack on the final climb leaving everyone else a half minute behind.

The air was not the only thing that was hot today. Luke Rowe and Tony Martin were removed from the race for a minor dust up that didn’t even involve punches being thrown.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 69h 39′ 16″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 )
Combative: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Nîmes > Nîmes

Distance: 177 kilometers.

A “Flat” stage, except for the category 4 climb, and a sprint finish.

• Côte de Saint-Jean-du-Pin 96 km (cat 4: 1.8km @ 4.2%)

The intermediate sprint is at 93.5 km, Vallérargues.

Caleb Ewan won his second stage on a stage that is best described as hot… HOT! With air temperatures at least in the upper 90s, people on bicycles really should find some shade and park them. Ewan is Australian, so he’s familiar with hot and he said he wasn’t feeling 100% in the temperatures. He joins Alaphilippe and Yates as a double stage winner in the second half of the Tour.

The General Classification has stayed stagnant for some time, but the race is now headed to the Alps, and mountains have a way of changing things. The sprinters will have to hang on until the final stage for another chance at glory.

Note: A quick weather check shows that tomorrow’s stage will be in an area with an “Excessive heat alert”. Not ideal circumstances for a bicycle race.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 64h 57′ 30″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 309 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Caleb Ewan ( Aus – LTS – 161 )
Combative: Alexis Gougeard ( Fra – ALM – 036 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Limoux > Foix Prat d’Albis

Distance: 185 kilometers.

Another “mountain” stage, again with real mountains and a summit finish.

• Col de Montségur 60.5 km (cat 2: 6.8km @ 6%)
• Port de Lers 120.5 km (cat 1: 11.4km @ 7.8%)
• Mur de Péguère 147 km (cat 1: 9.3km @ 7.9%)
• Foix Prat d’Albis 185 km (cat 1: 11.8km @ 6.9%)

The intermediate sprint is at 93.5 km, Tarascon-sur-Ariège.

Simon Yates won his second stage, but Thibaut Pinot and Geraint Thomas won the most in this stage. Pinot more than made up for the time he lost when a crosswind caused the peloton to split on Stage 10 and Thomas regained the time he lost in the individual time trial. With the race headed to the Alps, Pinot is looking good for the Polka Dot and/or the Yellow. Bernal is now 12 minutes 24 seconds ahead of his nearest rival for the White, and Sagan is 94 points ahead for the Green. Wellens is only 14 points ahead of Pinot for King of the Mountains.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 61h 00′ 22″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 284 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 5

Stage winner: Simon Yates ( GBr – MTS – 108 )
Combative: Mikel Landa Meana ( Spa – MOV – 065 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Tarbes > Tourmalet Barèges

Distance: 117.5 kilometers.

Another “mountain” stage, this time real mountains with a summit finish. The first to the summit gets the “Souvenir Jacques Goddet” prize, €5,000. Alaphilippe won it last year.

• Côte de Labatmale 18 km (cat 4: 1.4km @ 6.7%)
• Col du Soulor 60.5 km (cat 1: 11.9km @ 7.8%)
• Tourmalet 117.5 km (Hors Catégorie: 19km @ 7.4%)

The intermediate sprint is at 86 km, Pierrefitte-Nestalas.

Thibaut Pinot won the stage and the €5K. Movistar moved back into first among the teams. Egan Bernal is back in the White Jersey. Julian Alaphilippe is still in Yellow and gained 36 seconds over Geraint Thomas. Alaphilippe might be the first French winner of the Tour in 34 years.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 56h 11′ 29″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 284 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 64 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 4

Stage winner: Thibaut Pinot ( Fra – GFC – 051 )
Combative: Elie Gesbert ( Fra – PCB – 214 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Movistar Team ( MOV – 061-068 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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Pau > Pau

Distance: 27.2 kilometers.

Individual time trial with the potential of changing the General Classification standings. It is also the 100th anniversary of the Yellow Jersey, so this one will be special.

Julian Alaphilippe gained 14 seconds on Geraint Thomas and became the only rider so far to win two stages, having already won Stage 3.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 53h 02′ 35″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 277 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 54 points
Enric Mas ( Spa – DQT – 025 ) [White] 6

Stage winner: Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 )
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Complete Standings below the fold
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Toulouse > Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Distance: 209.5 kilometers.

Officially a “mountain” stage:

• Côte de Montoulieu-Saint-Bernard 62.5 km (cat 4: 1.7km @ 5.2%)
• Col de Peyresourde 146 km (cat 1: 13.2km @ 7%)
• Hourquette d’Ancizan 179 km (cat 1: 9.9km @ 7.5%)

The intermediate sprint is at 130.5 km, Bagnères-de-Luchon. There is a 1,000 meter drop over 30 kilometers to the finish after the final summit. A real test of brakes and courage/stupidity.

The Tour is in the Pyrenees and Simon Yates continues the pattern of a unique winner at every stage. With the two Category 1 climbs the General Classification riders stayed safe and fresh for tomorrow’s individual time trials. This led to little effort to reel in the 40+ riders of the breakaway. The peloton showed up 9 minutes and 35 seconds after Simon Yates crossed the line.

Julian Alaphilippe ( Fra – DQT – 021 ) [Yellow] 52h 26′ 09″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – BOH – 011 ) [Green] 277 Points
Tim Wellens ( Bel – LTS – 168 ) [Polka Dot] 54 points
Egan Bernal ( Col – INS – 002 ) [White] 3

Stage winner: Simon Yates ( GBr – MTS – 108 )
Combative: Matteo Trentin ( Ita – MTS – 107 ) [Red numbers]
Team: Trek – Segafredo ( TFS – 131-138 ) [Yellow numbers]

Top 30 below the fold
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