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Tour De France 2024 Stage 14 Extended Highlights

Tour De France 2024 Stage 14 Extended Highlights . Club 2024 route 2024 teams 2023. Check out all the highlights from stage 14 of the 2019 tour de france.

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Tour de france 2024 route stage 14:

July 15, 2023 01:22 Pm.

Watch highlights from stage 14 of the 2023 tour de france, a 152km ride into the alps from annemasse to morzine ski.

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Tour de France 2023: Stage 17 | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | 7/19/2023 | Cycling on NBC Sports

Watch highlights from Stage 17 of the 2023 Tour de France, a 165.7km ride from Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc to Courchevel. #NBCSports #Cycling #TourdeFrance » Subscribe to NBC Sports: » Watch Live Sports on NBCSports.com: » Get more cycling news on NBC Sports:

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With extensive coverage on NBC Sports, the NBC Sports Group is committed to cycling. Covering two of the three world-famous Grand Tours, La Vuelta a España and cycling’s most prestigious race, Le Tour de France, NBC Sports features more live, multi-platform and surrounding coverage of premier cycling events than any other network.

Spanning nine months of the year, NBC Sports cycling is anchored by the Tour de France. NBC Sports delivers 23 days of live coverage plus an enhanced primetime show for each of the stages. All stages are also live streamed on the NBC Sports app. NBC features live coverage of some of America’s biggest cycling events including the AMGEN Tour of California and the Critérium du Dauphiné, in addition to the Paris Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and, one of the most important stage races, the Paris-Nice.

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Tour de France

Tour de france stage 16: another opportunity for the sprinters, flatter roads give respite to the non-climbers, but gc riders need to be attentive..

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Stage 16 — Tuesday, July 16 Gruissan to Nîmes Distance: 188.6km (116 miles) Profile: Undulating stage

Stage 16: Flatter roads give respite to the non-climbers, but GC riders need to be attentive

On paper this 187km stage looks straightforward as there are no categorized climbs, and the only undulations come at the start and again toward the centerpoint of the day’s racing. The outcome in ways seems predictable; a break forces clear on those early ups and downs, consolidates or perhaps whittles down halfway through, and then battles to hold off the sprinters’ teams.

However, factor in possible strong winds and echelons and suddenly things become a lot more interesting for both the stage and the GC tussle.

The view of Tour de France race director Christian Prudhomme: “The sprinters may be heavily tipped for success when the race heads away from the coast near Narbonne, and maybe even when the riders pass over the Pic Saint-Loup. But the Mistral can blow fiercely at this time of year and could well upset the plans of the sprinters if those teams that feel at home when it’s windy end up scattering the peloton.”  

Demi Vollering Takes First Victory of 2024 on Summit Finish in Stage Five of La Vuelta Femenina

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The wait is over: we’re officially in Grand Tour season. La Vuelta Femenina kicked off on Sunday with a blistering team time trial. We’ll keep you up to date as the women battle for the red jersey on the challenging eight-stage tour across (mostly northern) Spain.

Movistar’s Annemiek van Vleuten won last year’s race and became the first woman to win all three of the major women’s stage races (La Vuelta, Tour de France Femmes , and Giro Donne). But she retired at the end of 2023, so there is no chance of a repeat winner.

Stage 1: Valencia to Valencia, 16 km

Sunday’s 16-kilometer team time trial in Valencia, Spain, was flat and fast. This, first and foremost, means we got another look at the Visma-Lease a Bike TT helmets , and we also saw a lot of excellent team action.

It was a tight race throughout, with everyone looking to claim an early general classification lead. But it was Lidl-Trek that took the victory late in the day. The women averaged just under 50 km/h to finish in a time of 19:20. Gaia Realini led across the line and thus will wear the leader’s jersey heading into stage two.

Check out NBC’s Extended Highlights of Stage 1 on YouTube.

The lead didn’t come without drama. Ellen van Dijk and Elynor Bäckstedt both crashed, slightly holding up their teammates on the approach to the finish. But the American team managed to regroup and push to the line just 0.02 seconds over Visma-Lease a Bike.

“After crashing in the TTT, Ellen [van Dijk] has a wound on her chin, which will require stitches, as well as blows to her right shoulder and left knee. She will be taken to hospital for checks to rule out any fractures. Fortunately, there is no sign of concussion,” shared Lidl-Trek in a statement via social media .

In her post-race interview, when asked if the team would work to hold onto the leader’s jersey, Realini said, “For sure, we will take this jersey and defend it for the next stage.”

Stage 2: Buñol to Moncofa, 118.3 km

Alison jackson takes a stunning sprint win.

Alison Jackson (EF Education-Cannondale) won stage 2 of the Vuelta Femenina in a reduced sprint after surviving a crash-marred final kilometers. The Canadian beat Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime), who finished second, and Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ), who finished in third place. After taking the bonus seconds at the finish and in the intermediate sprint, Vas is our new GC leader.

The meat of the action came in the final third of the stage, with bonus points and seconds available at Porte L’Oronet (a Category 3 climb 40 km away from the finish), in the intermediate sprints following the climb, and at the finish line. With such a tight GC standing after Sunday’s team time trial, bonus seconds proved crucial for the green jersey.

Swinkels took the maximum points on the QOM climb. Amanda Spratt (Lidl–Trek) took second, and Gaia Realini (Lidl–Trek) third. Following the climb, Anneke Dijkstra (VolkerWessels) took the first sprint points toward the green jersey, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) took second, and Grace Brown (FDJ-SUEZ) took third. But it wasn’t a done deal until the sprint to the finish, which came with even more bonus points.

Check out NBC’s Extended Highlights of Stage 2 on YouTube.

The final kilometers were flat, with some technical turns and damp roads that required some serious bike handling. With three kilometers left, there was a major crash in the peloton, and then another at a roundabout with 2.4 km to go. Tons of riders went down.

Despite the crashes, Jackson delivered a beautiful sprint against a reduced group of riders. In her signature style, the victory was immediately followed by a dancing celebration.

“I was in the right position at the right time with teammates to take care of me from beginning to end. And then, we just made the right decisions. Crashes were happening, and I kept safe, playing it smart. At the finish, it was all due to my teammates,” said Jackson in her post-race interview.

Heading into Stage 3, Jackson will wear the green jersey, Vas of SD Worx-Protime will wear the leader’s jersey, and Swinkels of UAE Team ADQ will wear the polka-dot jersey. Lidl-Trek still leads the team classification, followed closely by Visma-Lease a Bike, and SD Worx-Protime.

Stage 3: Lucena to Teruel, 130.2 km

On the anniversary of her first ever pro win, marianne vos takes the stage three victory.

Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) won Stage 3 of the Vuelta Femenina, sprinting to a clear lead in the final meters after a crash fractured the peloton with 2.4 km to go. The 36-year-old Dutch rider beat Charlotte Kool (dsm-firmenich PostN), who finished second, and Olivia Baril (Movistar), who took third. After securing bonus points in an earlier sprint, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime) maintains the leader’s jersey, and also takes over the green jersey.

Stage 3 was a 131-kilometer medium mountain stage. Riders traveled from Lucena to Teruel with another Category 3 ascent. There was also quite a bit of non-categorized climbing throughout—more than 2,000 meters overall—making the day pretty much relentless.

There were four riders who were unable to start the day because of injuries from yesterday’s crashes. Anna Henderson (Visma-Lease a Bike), Clara Emond (EF Education–Cannondale), Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez), and Sabrina Stultiens (VolkerWessels). Emma Norsgaard (Movistar) began the day but also had to abandon due to injury.

Once the climbing started around 30 km into the race, there were only a few breaks until the main event, the Alto Fuente de Robielos, which featured in the men’s 2023 race. Mireia Benito (AG Insurance-Soudal-Quick-Step) crossed the line on the climb first, while Karlijn Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) was able to maintain the QOM jersey.

Benito took a breakaway move with 85 km to go, and as is her style, she just kept growing that lead. By 50 km to go she had 5 minutes and 20 seconds on the peloton. The Spanish national time trial champion is comfortable on these solo breaks and found her rhyme well ahead of the pack for most of the day.

Check out NBC’s Extended Highlights of Stage 3 on YouTube.

With 43 km to go, an intermediate sprint came, on which Benito took maximum bonus points, still more than four minutes ahead of the peloton. Then, Grace Brown (FDJ–Suez) made her own solo break, which earned her bonus points in the sprint. The race leader, Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime), took the final points. Brown was eventually reeled back into the peloton.

With about 25 km to go, Vos and team Visma-Lease a Bike started putting the hammer down, getting into formation for the final push. With 10 km to go, Benito’s lead was down to 17 seconds, but she battled on. She was finally caught with 7.3 km to go. For her effort on the day, she earned the white jersey.

Just like yesterday, there was a serious crash with just 2.4 km. to go. This fractured the peloton pretty significantly. The final stretch included several roundabouts and tight turns. There was no real organization as the final sprint came together, but with less than 100 meters to go, Vos took a clear lead for the win by 2-3 bike lengths.

On this day in 2006, Marianne Vos took her first-ever pro victory. She now has 252 pro victories. In her post-race interview, Vos said that she was very pleased. “Yesterday, we worked hard and tried hard, and today, we went all-in. All the girls were working really hard for this, and of course, it’s really nice to be able to finish it off, so I'm very happy with this win.”

Stage 4: Molina de Aragón to Zaragoza, 142 km

American kristen faulkner blasts to victory in stage four of la vuelta femenina.

Kristen Faulkner (EF Education–Cannondale) won stage 4 of the Vuelta Femenina, sprinting alone after a breakaway starting at 7.3 km to go. The American finished 10 seconds ahead of Georgia Baker (Liv AlUla Jayco), who took second, and Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike), who took third. Vos now takes over the lead, five seconds ahead of Blanka Vas (SD Worx-Protime). Faulkner is now in third place in the overall GC.

Stage four covered 142 kilometers from Molina de Aragón to Zaragoza. The day included a net downhill, with a lot of flat, fast riding. Kind of the opposite of yesterday’s profile. But they were in a region known for extremely stiff winds, and today did not stray from that trend. Echelons all day.

It was a bank holiday in Spain, so the crowds were out in the wind and a bit of rain, but there were sunny skies for the race to the finish line in Zaragoza.

The lead group maintained a little over a minute on the peloton for a huge portion of the race. It was composed of 18 riders, including 5 from SD Worx. They were followed by a group of 40 riders chasing them.

Check out NBC’s Extended Highlights of Stage 4 on YouTube.

Vos was wearing green today, even though she was technically behind Blanka Vas, because Vas earned both the red and green jersey yesterday.

There was a sprint 12 km from the finish—in Santa Fe—which came with very important bonus points. Vos took maximum points and bonus seconds, which put her in the virtual lead, ahead of Blanka Vas.

Vas took second in the sprint, followed by Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl–Trek), Riejanne Ockeloen-Markus (Visma–Lease a Bike), and Alison Jackson (EF Education–Cannondale).

The first break in the lead group ahead of the finish came with 6 km to go. Faulkner took off, followed by Longo Borghini, Vos, and Jackson, but none could hang on. With 4.5 km to go, Faulkner opened up her gap to as much as 17 seconds. Faulkner crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of the sprint.

In her post-race interview, Faulkner said that the win was thanks to “a combination of planning and a bit of luck.”

Today’s stage was the fastest-ever women’s WorldTour stage, with an average of over 46 km per hour.

Stage 5: Huesca to Jaca, 113.9 km

Demi vollering dominates summit finish and takes over the leader’s jersey.

Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) won stage 5 of the Vuelta Femenina, in the first of three summit finishes of the stage race. Vollering battled with Yara Kastelijn (Credishop-Fristads) and Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) in the final steep climb, but broke away with around 1,000 meters to go. Vollering was all alone at the line, 28 seconds ahead of Kastelijn and Longo Borghini. This was Vollering’s first win of 2024 and she has taken over the lead of the GC.

To the mountains! From Huesca to Jaca, our first real mountain stage saw nearly 114 kilometers with a pair of category 2 climbs, one of which provided the day’s summit finish. More than 1,800 meters of climbing (5,905 feet) overall. The first climb, San Juan de la Peña, wasn’t ever incredibly steep, but at 18 km in length, it required endurance and pacing. The second, Rapitán Fort, came at the end—a 3.4 km climb with an average grade of 7.9 percent.

At the 54 km marker, Marianne Vos (Visma-Lease a Bike) had a minor crash, but there were no real consequences. This stage was basically a long warmup to the climbs, and the peloton stayed together without any menacing breakaways.

Karlijns Swinkels (UAE Team ADQ) was first to the summit of San Juan de la Peña. She gained 10 bonus points. Once the group reached the monastery at the top of the climb, it was a steep technical descent. Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) went down hard, but managed to get back on the bike and to the group with the help of teammate Brodie Chapman.

Swinkels made a move with about 12 km to go and stayed 15-20 seconds ahead of the chase group as they entered the final climb. Just before the climb in Jaca, there was a sprint for points where Swinkels took maximum bonus points, followed by Vos.

The final climb brought all the switchbacks, with sections above 10 percent; this climb finish was short but extremely tough. Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) set the pace for the bulk of the climb, followed by Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) and Yara Kastelijn (Credishop–Fristads). Vollering opened a gap with less than 1,000 meters to go, and ran away with it, building 28 seconds on the chasers. Vollering reached the line first, followed by Kastelijn in second and Longo Borghini in third.

Vollering takes over the leader’s jersey and said in her post-race interview that she hopes she can keep it until the end. Swinkels maintains the polka-dot jersey, and Vos takes the green jersey.

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Tour de France 2023: our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages

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Reading time: 0 min Published on 4 December 2023, updated on 15 April 2024

The most famous cycle race in the world, the Tour de France will be taking to the skies once again this year, as the 3,404km and 21 stages will take in all 5 of France's mountain ranges! The Pyrenees, the Auvergne volcanoes, the Jura mountains, the Alps and the Vosges massif... The peloton has plenty of pedalling to do and plenty of climbing to do. The grandiose landscapes, the high altitude finishes and the dizzying descents promise to be emotional highs. To experience the highs (and lows) of the Grand Loop, saddle up with our selection of the most beautiful mountain stages.

From Tarbes to Cauterets-Cambasque, the Pyrenees take centre stage

After 3 stages on the Spanish side, welcome to the French Pyrenees! First there's Bayonne and the Basque country, Dax and its thermal baths, Pau and its beautiful castle where King Henry IV was born. And then there's Tarbes, with its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, its palm-lined streets (yes, yes!) and its gourmet markets. The riders of the 2023 Tour de France will need a lot of courage to tear themselves away from this gentle way of life and tackle the climbs of the Aspin and terrible Tourmalet cols . The reward for all this climbing is a finish on the Cambasque plateau, overlooking the charming resort of Cauterets, in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park, where the Pic du Midi is enthroned. Want to cool off? Try the hike to the peaceful Lac d'Ilhéou . In a green setting with magnificent views and waterfalls, picnics and swimming...

The Puy de Dôme, a feast for the eyes in Auvergne

The ascent of Puy de Dôme, the undisputed star of the Auvergne, will be one of the highlights of the 2023 Tour de France! The youngest and highest volcano in the Puys chain has not featured on the itinerary for 35 years. Taking on this fearsome and majestic peak and finishing with a 360° view over the gentle rolling hills of the Parc naturel régional des Volcans d'Auvergne is sure to motivate many a rider! But did you know that you can also climb this peaceful giant by mule track or on board the Panoramique des Dômes, a picturesque little cogwheel train? In just 15 minutes, you'll be transported to an altitude of 1,465 m, with the 80 volcanoes of the Puy range and the Limagne fault (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site at your feet. To complete a stage that's full of fireworks, the Vulcania Park is not far away! Who can beat that?

Breathtaking escapes in the Jura

Expect to fall under the spell of Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne! Just 1 hour from Lyon and the Monts du Beaujolais, this small town in the Ain département, from which the Tour de France 2023 peloton will set off on 14 July, is a delightful medieval town. With its pink stone houses, flower-bedecked bridges and old market hall housing one of France's most popular traditional markets, it is also the gateway to the Dombes region, a paradise for fish farmers and birdwatchers with its landscapes of water and ponds. Take advantage of this area on foot, by boat or, ideally, by bike (it's flat!), before taking to the heights of the Montagnes du Jura , just a stone's throw away. The Pyramide du Bugey, from the top of which you can see Mont Blanc and Lake Geneva, is a must-see. The Tour de France riders attack it via the Col du Grand Colombier. At top speed. Take your time, the panorama is well worth it!

In the Alps, between lakes and legendary passes

It's doubtful that the riders will enjoy the view of Lake Geneva as they take their first pedal to the metal in the Alps at Annemasse on stage 14 of the Tour de France 2023. We recommend this one, though, as well as the view of Lake Annecy and its turquoise waters. Then it's time for a series of twists and turns and climbs to the legendary passes of the Alps, including the famous Col du Feu, an unprecedented climb for the peloton. At an altitude of 1,000 metres, in the heart of the Portes du Soleil ski area, the stage finish in Morzine won't dampen the spirits of those who love nature. In summer, the little village resort in the Alps is an ideal playground for lovers of outdoor activities : a stroll along the Dérêches river, swimming in Lake Montriond, canyoning or via ferrata... the hardest thing will be to choose.

From Gets to Saint-Gervais, Mont Blanc in your sights

For the first time since its creation, the Tour de France will start from Les Gets. Well-known to mountain bikers (the World Championships were held there in 2022), the pretty Alpine resort will kick off a 15th stage during which you'll need to have plenty of breath. The Col de la Forclaz-Montmin is on the programme. So allow yourself a break at its belvedere for a bird's-eye view of Lake Annecy before setting off again for Saint-Gervais, at the foot of Mont-Blanc. If you want to reach the highest peak in the Alps, this village resort, with its well-preserved heritage and traditions, is the ideal place to stop. And its thermal baths, renowned for the many benefits of their waters, set the well-being at the summit in a magnificent green setting.

Courchevel, star of the Alps

The regulars call it Courch' and they come and go summer and winter as connoisseurs, just like the Tour de France caravan which is visiting the Savoyard resort for the 4th time. Welcome to the pinnacle of top-of-the-range skiing in the Alps, at the heart of the Three Valleys ski area. Courchevel tops the list not only for the size of its ski area (Méribel and Val Thorens are its famous neighbours) but also for its range of hotels (no fewer than 5 mountain palaces , from the Apogée to the Cheval Blanc, not forgetting the K2 Palace, Airelles and the Hôtel Barrière Les Neiges) and restaurants. So, with its 6 hamlets and the surrounding area, the resort has a lot to offer. Take a selfie at the top of La Saulire, take a stroll down to Lac de la Rosière, cycle down the Bike Park, spend the night in the Lacs Merlet refuge or hike through the heart of the Vallée des Avals... You're going to love it!

Full steam ahead in the Vosges

Between the Lorraine plateau and the Alsace plain, the Vosges massif lives up to its reputation: a perfect blend of nature, wide open spaces, traditions and local produce, crafts and fine cheeses. Between the Grand Ballon d'Alsace and the Petit Ballon, via the famous Col de la Schlucht, the Tour de France 2023 will be taking a break from the normality of the mountains, with a new finish on the slopes of the Markstein, in the welcoming family resort of Marlstein Fellering. In the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park , you can enjoy bucolic hikes, tobogganing in the mountain pastures, paragliding with a view, and mountain biking (or mountain bikes) in a landscape of absolute serenity. And for those with a sweet tooth, July is the peak of blueberry season (and the season for tarts in the farm inns).

And (finally) Paris.... and the Olympics!

Will the riders be in Olympic form for the triumphant finish on the Champs-Elysées on 23 July 2023? Just one year ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris , the route will certainly provide a magnificent prologue to the sporting event. Starting in Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, all the future Olympic venues in the Yvelines département will be on the peloton's final route. A gigantic loop will join the Colline d'Elancourt (where the mountain bike events will take place), the Golf National in Guyancourt and the Château de Versailles , which will host the equestrian events and part of the modern pentathlon competitions. A prestigious line-up of finishers for a Tour de France 2023 that's sure to be at the top of its game!

Find out more:

More information on the route of the Tour de France 2023 and nearby tourist attractions

5 minutes to find out all about the Tour de France 9 mountain skills to discover

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Tour de France: Gall grinds to stage 17 win as Vingegaard opens up gulf at top – as it happened

Felix Gall won a brutal Queen Stage, while any faint hopes Tadej Pogacar might have had of catching Jonas Vingegaard were completely obliterated

• Read Jeremy Whittle’s stage 17 report from Courchevel
• 19 Jul 2023 Gall wins stage, while Vingegaard all but wins Tour
• 19 Jul 2023 The top five on General Classification
• 19 Jul 2023 The top three on stage 17
• 19 Jul 2023 Felix Gall wins stage 17!
• 19 Jul 2023 Pogacar: "I'm gone, I'm dead"
• 19 Jul 2023 Tadej Pogacar is in big trouble ...
• 19 Jul 2023 Tadej Pogacar crashes ...
• 19 Jul 2023 The peloton is racing on stage 17 ...
• 19 Jul 2023 Today's roll-out has begun
• 19 Jul 2023 Who's wearing what jersey
• 19 Jul 2023 Vingegaard leaves rivals trailing in his wake
• 19 Jul 2023 The top 10 on General Classification
• 19 Jul 2023 Stage 17: Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc to Courchevel (165.7km)

35km to go: Bora-Hansgrohe rider Nils Politt takes up the cudgels at the front of the yellow jersey group, his team getting anxious that Jai Hindley’s fifth place on the GC is coming under threat. Simon Yates, Pello Bilbao, D**** G**** and Felix Gall are all in the top 10 but behind Jai Hindlay. Guillaume Martin, who is 11th on GC, is also in the lead group.

44km to go: The terrain flattens out … a bit, with 16 kilomtres to go until the official beginning of the final climb of the day. Marc Soler is at the front of the lead bunch. A few of those at the back are struggling to keep up. Egan Bernal has lost over two minutes on the yellow jersey group since crashing.

45km to go: “Why would you put a banner marking the top of a climb below the top of the climb?” asks Ben Bull. “That’s just cruel. It reminds me of the many false summits I rolled over on the Cabot Trail in Canada, wobbling my bike from side to side, clutching my chest. There is surely no darker feeling in the world than reaching a ‘summit’ only to see another summit dead ahead.”

49km to go: Bernal has lost over 90 seconds on the yellow jersey group and after his fall, is travelling down the descent with extreme caution. The road is narrow, tight and twisty, with low concrete walls on some of the corners.

52km to go: In the yellow jersey group, Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) loses his front wheel at the first of them and hits the deck. He’s OK to remount and continue.

54km to go: The lead group beging their descent begins and it’s a long, steep one with over 20 hairpin bends.

55km to go: Great news. I can confirm categorically that David Gaudu is in the lead bunch, as Thibaut Pinot has just escorted him to the front of it. Now let’s never speak of him again unless he actually goes on to contest the end of the stage. The riders are still ascending, despite having passed the banner marking the top of the third climb. Ineos Grenadiers have taken over at the front of the yellow jersey group.

60km to go: “Gaudu moves in mysterious ways,” writes Bruno Rabl. Wearing a polka-dot helmet, shirt, shorts and socks, Giulio Ciccone crests the summit of the third climb of the day unopposed to take maximum points for the third time today. He could still lose the jersey if Jonas Vingegaard is first over the top of the last climb of the day and he doesn’t collect any more points today. Were that to happen, there are a sufficient number of climbs left on the Tour for him to win it back.

😍😍😍 #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/C3TLjf8ACX — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 19, 2023

63km to go: Halfway up the Côte de Longefoy, our group of leaders have dropped Julian Alaphilippe and are almost three minutes clear of the yellow jersey group.

Your leaders: Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Giulio Ciccone and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Ben O’Connor (Ag2r-Citröen), Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich), Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar), Krists Neilands (Israel-PremierTech), Chris Harper (Jayco-AlUla), Stefan Kung, Valentin Madouas and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Magnus Cort and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost), Dries Devenyns (Soudal-Quick Step), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Gall (Ag2r) and Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla).

Bizarrely, debate continues to rage over whether David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) is in this group or not. The current thinking is that he definitely is and the Tour’s rider tracking gizmo appears to back that up.

Côte de Longefoy is the 3rd iconic segment during this stage: https://t.co/wxOMB06cTS pic.twitter.com/LNSkBRDL34 — Strava (@Strava) July 19, 2023

69km to go: The leaders are approaching the foot of the day’s penultimate climb, a comparative hillock compared to the monster lying in wait later. The category two Côte de Longefoy is 1,174m high and 6.7 kilometres in length with an average gradient of 7.5%. Easy!

Schrödinger’s Gaudu: “David Gaudu seems to be the Tour’s most elusive rider,” writes Chris Taine. “He’s in a group until you look for him in a group, at which point he’s not in that group. Or not not in that group. Meow.”

We are all, in our own way, waiting for Gaudu.

72km to go: “Much has been written about Vingegaard’s performance yesterday but it’s worth noting that he gained a substantial amount of time on the downhill sections,” writes Michael Forbes. “Cycling isn’t only about climbing but also about descending. Frankly, I’d rather investigate how he stayed on the bike around some of those corners!”

76km to go: Withg two of today’s four climbs behind them, the lead group of 33 riders has a lead of 2min 10sec over the yellow jersey group, which is 35-riders strong. THere’s another group of around 20 riders between them and the green jersey group, which is nine minutes behind the leaders.

82km to go: While we’re on the subject, the Irish journalist Paul Kimmage posted a tweet today, showing what I presume is a genuione page from today’s L’Equipe in which they had a photo of Vingegaard accompanied by the headline “D’une Autre Planete”. They have used that headline in the past, accompanying a story aboout … Lance Armstrong.

I always had my doubts about Lance and often got woeful abuse from his fans for expressing my cynicism. I really want to believe today’s best riders are on the level but also think it’s fair to ask questions in the face of some almost superhuman performances.

As my old friend David Walsh once said: “We reserve the right to applaud.” pic.twitter.com/dJjneLmcvA — Paul Kimmage (@PaulKimmage) July 19, 2023

An email: With the riders on a long descent it’s time to dip into the mailbag. “Very sad and a bit confusing to see so much on social media about Vingegaard’s amazing performance yesterday – particularly from fans of Pogacar?” writes Jeremy.

“Both are great riders and both seem to have the utmost respect for each other – shame the same can’t be said of some of Pogi’s fans who have thrown the doping card into what should merely be a discussion of which planet Vingegaard actually hails from!

“I think they are both a credit to modern day cycling - mind you, I have just discovered he is a big Liverpool fan - which I think does need some explanation in my book.”

It’s an interesting email but while there isn’t a shred of evidence to suggest that Vingegaard has done anything dodgy, I think that given the sport’s extremely murky past, there are legitimate questions to be asked about his performances. Yesterday’s was out of this world.

Vingegaard himself has welcomed questions from sceptics and this very subject was addressed on Eurosport’s pre-stage coverage this morning.

All concerned arrived at what I think is the fair conclusion that, until we see any evidence that Vingegaard (or indeed Pogacar) might be cheating in some way, we have to presume they are not. Other opinions are available.

King of the Mountains: Giulio Ciccone is now on 83 points, with Neilson Powless next in the pecking order on 58. Jonas Vingegaard is one behind the American in third.

In the entirely plausible scenario that Ciccone doesn’t take any points on today’s final climb and Vingegaard is first to the summit of the Col de la Loze, it is the Dane who will be top of the King of the Mountains standings at close of play this afternoon. Ciccone would continue to wear the polka-dot jersey, but only on Vingegaard’s behalf.

97km to go: In the polka-dot jersey, Giulio Ciccone is first over the Cormet de Roselend, followed by his teammate Mattias Skjelmose. I can confirm that David Gaudu is not in the lead group.

102km to go: We have three riders from the top 10 on GC in the lead group, the highest placed being Pello Bilbao, in seventh. Simon Yates (eighth) and Felix Gall (tenth). David Gaudu seems to have been vanished off the face of the earth, as there’s no sign of him in any of the first three groups. He’s definitely in one of them and I’m pretty sure it’s that of the leaders, which would make it four from the top 10.

105km to go: “What the heck happened to Neilson Powless!?” asks Joe Pearson. “A couple days ago he was in polka dot; today he’s in the Green Jersey group, over six minutes back. Is he ill or injured? Do we know?”

We can’t know for sure Joe, but he tried to escape early on in a group with Giulio Ciccone, who relieved him of his KOM jersey two days ago, but just didn’t seem to have the legs. He started going backwards very quickly at the first application of pressure. Probably just one of those bad days at the office.

106km to go: With a shimmering, emerald green lake to their right and slightly darker green mountains to their left and straight ahead, the riders continue their journey towards the summit of the Cormet de Roselend. The lead group is comprised of 34 riders, who have put 1min 23sec into the yellow jersey group behind them. The climb is about to ramp up quite viciously.

108km to go: The German Bahrain Victorious sprinter Phil Bauhaus has abandoned the race after being distanced at the back of the field. He cut an extremely forlorn figure while riding through the intermediate sprint zone all by himself.

An email: “I’ve been following the Tour for years now and I can’t ever remember hearing the phrase Queen Stage,” writes Lizzi. “What does it mean?” The Queen Stage is the toughest, most gruelling mountain stage of any Grand Tour.

109km to go: There’s another 10 kilometres to go up the second climb of the day with the gap from the leaders to the yellow jersey group at 1min 10sec. The green jersey group is currently toiling almost six minutes off the pace.

110km to go: Correction, there are way, way more than 12 riders in the yellow jersey group. Jumbo-Visma have six riders at the front, with the riders of UAE Team Emirates behind them and the lads from Ineos Grenadiers next in line. Christophe Laporte is towing them up the mountain, making a punishing pace.

113km to go: The two lead groups have come together to form one big 33-rider festival of pain. The 12-man yellow jersey group is only 1min 19sec back.

114km to go: Your chase group: David Gaudu, Stefan Kung, Valentin Madouas and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Magnus Cort and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost), Dries Devenyns (Soudal-Quick Step), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Gall (Ag2r) and Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla). My humble apologies go out to David Gaudu, who I erroneously reported had been dropped. They have 14.5km of the second climb remaining.

115km to go: We have a lead group of nine readers who have opened a gap of 1min 10sec on the yellow jersey group, with a chase group in between.

Your leaders: Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step), Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Giulio Ciccone and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Ben O’Connor (Ag2r-Citröen), Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich), Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar), Krists Neilands (Israel-PremierTech), Chris Harper (Jayco-AlUla).

Intermediate sprint: It went uncontested in the valley between the first two climbs and Julian Alaphilippe took maximum points, for all the good they are to him. Assuming he finishes the race, Jasper Philipsen won’t be caught in the points classification. Alaphilippe does, however, also win €1,500 for the team kitty, which will pay for a few righteous beers in Paris on Sunday night. Probably not too many, given how expensive everything is around the Champs Elysees.

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