Stage 13 of the 2017 Tour de France is one of the most unique tour stages in recent memory – at 101km it is one of the shortest stages in the tour’s history. Join The Roar for live coverage from 10:30pm (AEST).
Packed into those 101km are three category 1 climbs that should deliver explosive attacking riding from start to finish. This shapes as an important stage in determining who will stand on the podium in Paris – short on distance, high on drama.
The riders depart from the start town of Saint-Girons with an uphill drag taking them to the foot of the day’s first climb after approximately 26km of racing.
The category 1 Col de Latrape is the short sharp introduction to today’s climbing averaging a punchy 7.3 per cent over its 5.6km.
After cresting the Col de Latrape, the riders have a short descent to the foot of the Col d’Agnes which averages a punishing 8.1 per cent over 10km of climbing.
Expect attacking moves from those overall contenders whose chances have slipped away think of Contador, and Quintana taking one more roll of the dice.
A long descent of approximately 20km takes the peloton into the last climb of the day which summits 25km from the finish in Foix.
The Mur de Peguere will provide the final climbing test of today’s stage and the best opportunity to take time.
Like its predecessors today it is not overly long at 9.1km but averages a stern 7.9 per cent. A fast descent will take them into Foix where the GC could be turned on its head.
Prediction
Today’s stage is another example of a recent trend to pack serious climbing into a shortened stage to encourage attacking riding from kilometre zero.
In the past teams like Astana and Movistar have taken these opportunities to attack and isolate Chris Froome from his Team Sky lieutenants.
Today’s stage is set up for riders like Fabio Aru, Romain Bardet, and Rigoberto Uran to test the legs of Froome to find out if yesterday’s faltering ride was an aberration or a sign that he is truly wavering.
Expect Contador, and Quintana to initiate early attacks. However Aru, and Bardet will make the most decisive moves and put Froome under extreme pressure with the duo likely to battle for the stage win while also taking precious time from Froome.
Lionheart
Guest
great summary, thank you
Maggie
Guest
Alberto Contador on the podium for winning the most combative rider for the stage. He has bandages on his knee and elbow from all those falls in earlier stages. He just never gives up!
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Overall Standings after Stage 13: 1 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 55:30:06 2 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 0:00:06 3 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale 0:00:25 4 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale-Drapac 0:00:35 5 Mikel Landa (Spa) Team Sky 0:01:09 6 Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:32 7 Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott 0:02:04 8 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 0:02:07 9 Louis Meintjes (RSA) UAE Team Emirates 0:04:51 10 Alberto Contador (Spa) Trek-Segafredo 0:05:22
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Stage 13 Top 10: 1 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Sunweb 2:36:29 2 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team 3 Alberto Contador (Spa) Trek-Segafredo 4 Mikel Landa (Spa) Team Sky 0:00:02 5 Simon Yates (GBr) Orica-Scott 0:01:39 6 Daniel Martin (Irl) Quick-Step Floors 0:01:39 7 Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol) Team Sky 0:01:48 8 Christopher Froome (GBr) Team Sky 9 Fabio Aru (Ita) Astana Pro Team 10 Rigoberto Uran (Col) Cannondale-Drapac
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Stage Recap: The short stage has delivered again with non stop action and exciting racing from the drop of the flag. Contador as he always does regardless of how much time he loses went on an attack with Landa following him. They were able to ride together for most of the stage before being caught by Barguil and Quintana on the steepest sections of the final climb. Behind them the yellow jersey group spent the majority of the climb looking at each other no one willing to attack. This allowed Landa to build a lead that almost had him in virtual yellow. Froome put in some ultimately futile attacks both near the summit of the final climb and on the descent. However each time Aru was able to follow easily. Late on the descent Dan Martin and Simon Yates were able to take some time on the favourites group. Up the road Barguil took the four up sprint for the win ahead of Quintana. The talking point out of this stage will be the Landa, Froome dynamic as Landa has now stormed into the top 5 and is looking strong. Was it planned or is he going rogue. Fascinating stages lie ahead with the top of the GC still so tight. Good night and remember to join us tomorrow night for live coverage of stage 14.
Maggie
Guest
How good was that?? And so fitting that a Frenchman wins the stage on Bastille Day. Wonderful viewing all day and great finish.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
What a race for Barguil he loses heartbreakingly in a photo finish to Uran but gets his stage win on Bastille day no less. He also put a strong down payment on wearing the polka dot jersey into Paris.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Yates and Martin cross the line 1 minute 38 down as Yates takes the sprint. The yellow jersey crosses 8 seconds later.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Barguil takes a well deserved win
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Contador goes very early at 400m to go. Barguil attacks over the top, Quintana closing. But Barguil has his stage win on Bastille day.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Contador sitting at the back does he have a sprint in his aging legs.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
1km to go for the leaders as Landa leads them.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Within 2km to go. Yates catches Martin but Kwiatkowski is bringing both back.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Martin continuing alone as Yates opens a small gap with the other favourites looking at each other.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Yates now trying his luck. 3km to go for the leaders. They have 2min 06 on the yellow jersey group.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Froome attacks again Aru glued to his wheel. Another attack comes to nothing.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Martin has taken 15 seconds. He deserves some time today after his attacking ride throughout the day.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
How quickly it has come only 5km to go. The lead holding at 2 minutes.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Martin goes over the top and Kwiatkowski is playing cop. Froome tried to make Aru close but he refused.
Ryan Day
Roar Guru
Aru closes the gap to Uran as the descent flattens out in the valley. Now the game of cat and mouse may begin.