With Chris Froome back in the yellow leader’s jersey and Aussie Michael Matthews winning his first stage, all eyes are on the Tour de France as the riders tackle a mountainous Stage 15. Join The Roar for all the live coverage, updates and results of Stage 15 from 9.30pm (AEST).
Today’s high-altitude stage takes the riders from the commune of Laissac-Sévérac l’Église in the south of France up north to the historic Le Puy-en-Velay.
It’s shaping up to be a fascinating 189.5 kilometres of trekking in what is a unique stage layout.
Less than 20km in the field will be hit with the first of four category climbs throughout the day.
The Montee de Naves d’Aubrac is a Category 1 climb over 9km that averages out to a 6.4% gradient, although it jumps as steep as 10% in some places and will be the early marker for how the day will play out.
It’s the perfect chance for a breakaway to get the early jump over the peak and play the peloton.
There’s little rest though as the riders hit the Aubrac Plateau, riding along the mountain tops for over 100km as they spend the bulk of the stage above 1,000 metres altitude, a factor of the day that will surely take a toll on the field.
Just over ten kilometres from the opening Cat 1 climb is the Cote de Vieurals, a Category 3 ascent that is much shorter than the first and not quite as sharp, but an awkward length coming off the opening climb, leaving little time for the legs to rest.
As the trail undulates all over the place, with a string of uncategorised climbs and ascents, the stage only continues to get tougher on the riders.
The day heats up again with over 40km to go as the riders hit a steep descent down, dropping over 300 metres in just 5 kilometres of winding road.
A short flat section is about the only reprieve the riders have all day following the drop before they head up arguably the toughest section of the day.
Col de Peyra Taillade is the second Category 1 climb of the day and it reaches gradients of up to 14% for over 8km, a gruelling task on already tired legs 148km into the stage.
It’s relatively downhill to the finish from the peak apart from a short and sharp Category 4 climb 12km from the finish line.
This could be one of the most action-packed and simultaneously chaotic stages of the tour with the real chance of a leading breakaway to take the day.
The General Classification standings have been heating up with a pair of lead changes over the last few days and that may continue.
Froome is back in yellow and will be looking to keep it that way, but the nature of the climbing will take it’s toll on a lot of the field today and we could see some big movers in the pack.
Connor Bennett
Editor
The General Classification standings after Stage 15
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
Froome is giving it his all in the final few hundred metres, sprinting ahead to save himself the seconds, finishing over 6 minutes behind.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Froome still making his way to the line. The field were really stretched out all over the place in the final 10-15km.
Connor Bennett
Editor
Your Stage 15 winner...
Connor Bennett
Editor
FINAL KILOMETRE Bauke Mollema makes it look easy!! He only had 15 seconds to work with for the last 10+ kilometres but he's somehow pulled it off. Through the streets he goes, not even looking back over his shoulder as he comes onto the final stretch... he's pumping away right to the end despite the chase not being in sight. BAUKE MOLLEMA WINS STAGE 15!!! The Dutch rider crosses the line, arms raised high with no one in sight, that will be a good one for the photo album. The sprint is still on for second place though... and it's a bit of a dud affair in the end. Ulissi takes second without too much trouble. The rest of the field dribbling across the line in sporadic time intervals. This stage was always going to shake up teh GC standings and it has done just that with plenty of different times coming in.
Connor Bennett
Editor
2km to go Mollema putting the foot down!! He might have this I think. The chase failing to get organised and they're running out of time to pull this back.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Surely Mollema has it?
Connor Bennett
Editor
3km to go The chase group splitting up now as riders attack off the front and others fail to keep out. They're being strung out.
Connor Bennett
Editor
4km to go Bauke Mollema will not give in, he's out front, all alone with 20 seconds to work with but he has plenty of downhill cycling in front of him leading into the finish.
Connor Bennett
Editor
5km to go Yates is gone, falling to the back of the pack after being reeled in once again. Martin looking to move now as well, digging into his reserves to push late in the day
Connor Bennett
Editor
7km to go Yates again jumps, this time on the back wheel of Lander who shot off out of nowhere. Mollema still hanging onto his lead, at 20 seconds now.
Connor Bennett
Editor
8km to go Simon Yates trying to stick the break but Lander is reeling him in and Yates is back in the group as quickly as he left it.
Connor Bennett
Editor
9km to go Yates has shot off the front of the peleton, he's had enough of the pacing and has already opened up a lead as he heads after the chase/
Connor Bennett
Editor
11km to go Mollema holding 20 seconds out front now. He might just be able to push ahead a touch more but the chase are coming for him. Froome and Sky look content to just ride the rest of the day out nearly 7 minutes behind. This won't be enough to take the jersey from the Englishman.
Connor Bennett
Editor
12km to go It's all but downhill to the finish line now and how the riders legs will be appreciative of that.
Connor Bennett
Editor
13km to go Mollema fighting through the winding climb and he cross the peak first among a sea of crowded fans. He struggled there at the end and there are two riders who have all but caught him including the polka dot jersey wearer in Barguil
Scott Pryde
Expert
Wasn't expecting the tennis to end early enough to watch the end of the stage!
Connor Bennett
Editor
15km to go Mollema on the climb now and he slows down rapidly as he hits the harsh gradients. The chase have a chance to catch up here but once he clears... he'll be off.
Connor Bennett
Editor
16km to go Final category climb of the day coming up. It will be 2km of sharp ascending.