The second week at the Tour de France wraps up with Stage 15 which sees the peloton climb over 5000 metres in altitude across six categorised climbs on the 160-kilometre trek from Bourg-en-Bresse to Culoz. Join The Roar for live coverage from 8:30pm (AEST).
Today’s stage will mark the first day of racing in the Alps and should be a day for the general classification men to shine.
Lumpy roads for the first 15 kilometres could allow a breakaway, however the big names in the King of the Mountains classification will likely wait to make their move until the first categorised climb of the day – the Category 1 climb of the Col du Berthiand.
Six kilometres at 8.1 per cent, it will be a difficult start to the stage, especially after the undulations before the climb even starts.’
It is then a short descent that leads into an unclassified climb of three kilometres, before the road makes its way back down into the valley before heading uphill once again for the Category 2 Col du Sappel. The climb averages out at 5.6 per cent for 8.8 kilometres.
A short descent follows, which leads into the third climb of the day, the Category 3 Col de Pisseloup which is completed inside 100 kilometres to go and reads 4.9 kilometres at 5.8 per cent.
The climbs continue to come thick and fast, with another short descent before tackling Category 3 Col de la Rochette, another 5 kilometres and an average gradient of over 5 per cent, much like the previous two climbs.
From the top of the Col de la Rochette to the start of the next classified climb, the hors category climb of the Grand Colombier a distance of 21 kilometres will be covered, with a short unclassified climb in the middle separating the two climbs.
The Grand Colombier is the most difficult climb of the day – just under 7 per cent for 12.8 kilometres, which should start to see the first moves from general classification favourites. The climb goes up in two distinct sections – the first half of the climb is fairly easy, with gradients around 6 per cent, however it then goes consistently at or over 8 per cent.
The climb is crested after 113 kilometres, leaving another 47 before the riders finish in Culoz.
Cluoz will see the peloton pass through twice today, with the town also acting as the starting point for the final climb of the day – the Category 1 Lacets du Grand Colombier. The climb averages 7.5 per cent for 8.4 kilometres and could be decisive.
The climb is crested at 14 kilometres to go, and with a technical descent following it could be a chance for riders to get away.
However, the final 7 kilometres are along flat roads and thus a lone rider may struggle to hold off the field if there is a cooperative chasing group behind.
Today will be a key day for the men looking to contest the King of the Mountains jersey, so expect fireworks in the break, and in the peloton.
Join The Roar‘s live coverage of Stage 15 from 8:30pm (AEST).
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Hope you enjoyed the coverage of Stage 15 of the Tour De France. Be sure to check back during the day to catch my stage preview for Stage 16, and be sure to join us from 10 pm tonight for live coverage of Stage 16.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Majka forced Pantano to the front in the final kilometre, but went far to early in the sprint and the Colombian came past with ease. Back in the GC group, the only man to lose time was TJ Van Gardaren,
Scott Pryde
Expert
Great win from Pantano. Truly pathetic display from BMC and Movistar (apart from the Valverde attack). Congrats to Astana for trying to do something about the situation. People can say the Tour isn't over all they like, but it is. Froome will need to crash, puncture or have a dreadfully bad day to lose this. Cheers for the call Brendon.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Jarlinson Pantano wins Stage 15 of the Tour De France, ahead of Rafal Majka and Alexis Vuillermoz.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Yates is in the favourites group, however Meintjes is not.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
2 kilometres to go for the two leaders.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Bardet leading the favourites group down the descent.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
5 kilometres to go for Majka and Pantano.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Nieve crashes on the descent.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Yates looks to be off the back of the favourites good on the descent.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Pantano has caught Majka, they have 30 seconds of the two chasers.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Would have been a shortcut that included front flips and rolls and all sorts of crazy things! Very lucky.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Bardet caught at the summit of the climb.
Jono
Guest
Woah! Majka nearly took a shortcut down hill!
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Majka very lucky.
Jono
Guest
Disappointed by the lack of attacks from Movistar and BMC. If not for Astana nothing would have happened.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
TJ 15 seconds behind favourites group.
Brendon Vella
Roar Guru
Majka took the top points at the top of the climb. Pantano has descended faster than Reichenbach in pursuit of Majka.