![[GFC] Tour de France 2013 – Étape 15 - Lyrxo France [Archives]](/uploads/posts/2023-03/1074816.jpg)
Stage 15 - Givors - Mont Ventoux
This stage is the longest of this 100th Tour. It is also one of the most prestigious because nobody wins by chance on the Ventoux, especially not on 14 July? There are two scenarios: either a group gets away from a long way out and maintains enough of an advantage for the escapees to fight it between themselves; or the leaders shut down the race as far as the foot of the climb, transforming the stage into one enormous hill-climb! Depending on the weather, a lot of damage could be done today. Imagine what it could be like if there's blazing heat all day? Whether you're in the yellow jersey or not, if you do badly on this climb you will lose a quarter of an hour!
Mountain passes & hills:
Km 20.5 - Côte d'Eyzin-Pinet - 3.1 kilometre-long climb at 4.9% - category 4
Km 26.5 - Côte de Primarette - 2.6 kilometre-long climb at 4.1% - category 4
Km 44.5 - Côte de Lens-Lestang - 2.1 kilometre-long climb at 3.8% - category 4
Km 143.0 - Côte de Bourdeaux - 4.2 kilometre-long climb at 5.7% - category 3
Km 242.5 - Mont Ventoux - 20.8 kilometre-long climb at 7.5% - category H
Intermediate sprints: Km 208.0 - Malaucène
Stage Summary:
All that matters started only 20Km away from the finish line.
Chavanel had built up 28 seconds with 20km to go, and the chase group too started falling apart, with Sagan noticeably lagging back. Surprisingly, Rolland was dropped from the main group, and it seemed unlikely he would be able to play a role in the stage.
Sagan was one of the first to re-join the field, which he celebrated with a wave and wheelie. Rui Costa (Movistar) and Jan Bakelants (RadioShack-Leopard) were the first to jump from the field. Costa couldn't hang on, but Bakelants soon moved up.
Bakelants was joined by Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel). Quintana jumped as next, as Nieve passed Chavanel. With 12.4 km the Colombian caught Chavanel, and Sky moved into the lead of the chase, with Froome having two helpers with him.
Quintana moved up slowly and smoothly in pursuit of the Basque rider. It took a while but he caught Nivel with 10.5 km to go.
The long grinding climb took its expected toll, and the favourites' group became smaller and smaller, with truly only favourites in it. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Jakob Fuglsang were victims, as well. With 8 kilometers to go, there was only a trio: Froome, Porte and Contador.
Shortly thereafter, Froome attacked, quickly passing the fading Nieve. Contador could not or did not respond. The duo fought the motorcycles and crazed fans and Froome easily moved past Quintana, never once getting out of the saddle. The Colombian fought his way back though, and took Froome's rear wheel, eventually taking his turn in the lead.
This stage is the longest of this 100th Tour. It is also one of the most prestigious because nobody wins by chance on the Ventoux, especially not on 14 July? There are two scenarios: either a group gets away from a long way out and maintains enough of an advantage for the escapees to fight it between themselves; or the leaders shut down the race as far as the foot of the climb, transforming the stage into one enormous hill-climb! Depending on the weather, a lot of damage could be done today. Imagine what it could be like if there's blazing heat all day? Whether you're in the yellow jersey or not, if you do badly on this climb you will lose a quarter of an hour!
Mountain passes & hills:
Km 20.5 - Côte d'Eyzin-Pinet - 3.1 kilometre-long climb at 4.9% - category 4
Km 26.5 - Côte de Primarette - 2.6 kilometre-long climb at 4.1% - category 4
Km 44.5 - Côte de Lens-Lestang - 2.1 kilometre-long climb at 3.8% - category 4
Km 143.0 - Côte de Bourdeaux - 4.2 kilometre-long climb at 5.7% - category 3
Km 242.5 - Mont Ventoux - 20.8 kilometre-long climb at 7.5% - category H
Intermediate sprints: Km 208.0 - Malaucène
Stage Summary:
All that matters started only 20Km away from the finish line.
Chavanel had built up 28 seconds with 20km to go, and the chase group too started falling apart, with Sagan noticeably lagging back. Surprisingly, Rolland was dropped from the main group, and it seemed unlikely he would be able to play a role in the stage.
Sagan was one of the first to re-join the field, which he celebrated with a wave and wheelie. Rui Costa (Movistar) and Jan Bakelants (RadioShack-Leopard) were the first to jump from the field. Costa couldn't hang on, but Bakelants soon moved up.
Bakelants was joined by Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel). Quintana jumped as next, as Nieve passed Chavanel. With 12.4 km the Colombian caught Chavanel, and Sky moved into the lead of the chase, with Froome having two helpers with him.
Quintana moved up slowly and smoothly in pursuit of the Basque rider. It took a while but he caught Nivel with 10.5 km to go.
The long grinding climb took its expected toll, and the favourites' group became smaller and smaller, with truly only favourites in it. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Jakob Fuglsang were victims, as well. With 8 kilometers to go, there was only a trio: Froome, Porte and Contador.
Shortly thereafter, Froome attacked, quickly passing the fading Nieve. Contador could not or did not respond. The duo fought the motorcycles and crazed fans and Froome easily moved past Quintana, never once getting out of the saddle. The Colombian fought his way back though, and took Froome's rear wheel, eventually taking his turn in the lead.
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