Mont Ventoux, one of the most famous – and feared – climbs lies in wait for the riders on Stage 15 of the 2013 Tour de France. Join us for live updates from 10.30pm AEST.
Almost 16 kilometres of climbing, gradients of over 10 percent in stages and all after 222 kilometres of the stage already ridden – this stage is not for the faint hearted.
With Team Sky showing signs of weakness, leader Chris Froome will know that this stage could have massive implications if he’s left friendless on this climb, with the likes of Belkin’s Bauke Mollema and Saxo Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador not yet having given up hope of wresting the yellow jersey of Froome’s rather skinny shoulders.
Mont Ventoux, one of the most famous – and feared – climbs lies in wait for the riders on Stage 15 of the 2013 Tour de France.
Almost 16 kilometres of climbing, gradients of over 10 percent in stages and all after 222 kilometres of the stage already ridden – this stage is not for the faint hearted.
With Team Sky showing signs of weakness, leader Chris Froome will know that this stage could have massive implications if he’s left friendless on this climb, with the likes of Belkin’s Bauke Mollema and Saxo Tinkoff’s Alberto Contador not yet having given up hope of wresting the yellow jersey of Froome’s rather skinny shoulders.
And then there is the race for the polka dot jersey.
Will Europcar’s Pierre Rolland chase the whopping 50 points on offer for the first rider to reach the summit, or will another rider see this as their opportunity to bridge the cap Rolland holds over his rivals?
This is a stage not to be missed, and you can follow all the action here on The Roar from 10.30pm AEST.
Colin N
Guest
"But, sorry, the Landis exploit came to my mind. It seemed that Froome could easily have gone for another climb, no “sweat”!!" Despite the fact he was clearly suffering at the end and needed oxygen?
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's live coverage of Stage 15. Thanks for joining us, and make sure you keep following The Roar for all your cycling news and views.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Chris Froome now leads the Mountains Classification by 17 points. Froome is on 83 points, Quintana is second on 66. The points on offer today were so large that Mikel Nieve has moved into third place with 53 points. Pierre Rolland is fourth on 51 points and won't be in the polka dot jersey tomorrow. I assume Quintana will wear white, so Nieve will be wearing the polka dots.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Chris Froome looks a lot happier on the presentation stage today than previous days. Apparently Froome has been on oxygen since the completion of the stage.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Cadel Evans now 16th in the General Classification, 15'40" behind Froome.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Cadel Evans finished the stage in 31st place. He was 8'46 behind Froome. Andy Schleck was 39th, 10'42" behind Froome. To think two years ago we were watching these two battle for overall honours - how times change, and quickly.
Gerard
Guest
Just watched the finish to the top of the Ventoux. Spectacular! But, sorry, the Landis exploit came to my mind. It seemed that Froome could easily have gone for another climb, no "sweat"!! Come on! Guys, if you swallow it, I don't! lets get real. The impostor has to be found and stopped, now!
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Chris Froome owes Richie Porte an energy gel or two tonight, Porte was magnificent in looking after Froome today and helping set him up to attack Alberto Contador. Peter Kennaugh also did a great job for his team leader. But you can't take anything away from Froome. Questions were being asked about whether he'd be able to hold on to his yellow jersey through to Paris, and he responded in the best fashion - winning a stage and proving that he is undeniably the best rider on this year's Tour. It's not over yet though, he could find himself vulnerable yet, but having at least 4 minutes on all of his rivals will be very, very handy. There is of course the small matter of a time trial, something he excels at.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Points Classification Top 5 1. Peter Sagan (Cannondale) - 377 points 2. Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) - 278 points 3. Andre Greipel (Lotto Belisol) - 223 points 4. Marcel Kittel (Argos-Shimano) - 177 points 5. Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) - 157 points
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
The new top 10 in the General Classification 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 61h 11' 43'' 2. Bauke Mollema (Belkin) + 04' 14'' 3. Alberto Contador (Saxo Tinkoff) + 04' 25'' 4. Roman Kreuziger (Saxo Tinkoff) + 04' 28'' 5. Laurens ten Dam (Belkin) + 04' 54'' 6. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) + 05' 47'' 7. Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) + 06' 22'' 8. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) + 07' 11'' 9. Jean-Christophe Peraud (AG2R) + 07' 47'' 10. Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) + 07' 58''
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Nairo Quintana now leads Michal Kwiatkowski in the Young Riders Classification by 2'45"
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
So, to recap, the top 5 on Stage 15 were: 1. Chris Froome (Sky) 5h48'45" 2. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) at 29" 3. Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi) at 1'23" 4. Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) at 1'23" 5. Roman Kreuziger (Saxo Tinkoff) at 1'40"
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Michal Kwiatkowski comes in - a very good ride from the young Pole, but not enough for him to retain his white jersey.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Next in is Richie Froome (as Phil and Paul so annoyingly keep calling him) - I of course mean Richie Porte. He played a massive part in Froome's stage win.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Kreuziger is next, with Contador, both 1'41" behind. Jakob Fuglsang was next, then Lauren ten Dam. Chirstophe Peraud is next, followed by Bert de Clerq. Michael Rogers next, then Alejandro Valverde and Dan Martin.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
1'23 behind Froome, Nieve grabs third and Rodriguez 4th.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Rodriguez has passed Nieve. No sign of Contador, he must have cracked badly.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Quintana hangs on for second. A great ride and he'll be back in the white jersey tomorrow. 33 seconds behind Froome.
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Chris Froome wins Stage 15! He looks a happy, albeit pained, man! 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds. He raises one arm in the air in celebration
jasonkohlmorgen
Roar Guru
Rodriguez attacks the Mollema group, and it works, he's away