youtube stage 13 tour de france

• Associated Press ,

• Ryan Lavner ,

• Dustin Long ,

Trending Teams

Highlights: 2022 tour de france, stage 13.

Official games

2023 Edition

• Stage winners
• All the videos

Tour Culture

• Commitments
• key figures
• Sporting Stakes
• "Maillot Jaune" Collection
• The jerseys

Stage 12 Aurillac > Villeneuve-sur-Lot

Length 204 km

Stage 13 Agen > Pau

Length 171 km

Stage 14 Pau > Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d'Adet

Length 152 km

Type Mountain

Prepare for the stage

Watch the videos from the stage

A few words from C.Prudhomme

The stage of the day in video

Come to the Tour

Ride like the pros

On the route of the stage

Find the best route, come on your bike, come by car-sharing, follow the tour, watch the stage on tv, follow the caravane du tour, play the video games, discover the towns of the day.

Receive exclusive news about the Tour

Accreditations

Privacy policy, your gdpr rights.

• >", "name": "top-nav-watch", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
• >", "name": "top-nav-learn", "type": "link"}}' href="https://learn.outsideonline.com">Learn
• >", "name": "top-nav-podcasts", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/podcast-directory/">Podcasts
• >", "name": "top-nav-maps", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com">Maps
• >", "name": "top-nav-events", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/events">Events
• >", "name": "top-nav-shop", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com">Shop
• >", "name": "top-nav-buysell", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell">BuySell
• >", "name": "top-nav-outside", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/outsideplus">Outside+

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? >", "name": "mega-signin", "type": "link"}}' class="u-color--red-dark u-font--xs u-text-transform--upper u-font-weight--bold">Sign In

Outside watch, outside learn.

• >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
• >", "name": "mega-climbing-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
• >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
• >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
• >", "name": "mega-npt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
• >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
• >", "name": "mega-outsideio-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outside.io/">Outside.io
• >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Outside Watch
• >", "name": "mega-ski-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
• >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment

Healthy Living

• >", "name": "mega-ce-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
• >", "name": "mega-oxy-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
• >", "name": "mega-vt-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
• >", "name": "mega-yj-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
• >", "name": "mega-beta-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
• >", "name": "mega-pinkbike-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.pinkbike.com/">Pinkbike
• >", "name": "mega-roll-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
• >", "name": "mega-trailforks-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.trailforks.com/">Trailforks
• >", "name": "mega-trail-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
• >", "name": "mega-tri-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
• >", "name": "mega-vn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
• >", "name": "mega-wr-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
• >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
• >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• >", "name": "mega-cairn-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.getcairn.com/">Cairn
• >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
• >", "name": "mega-idea-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
• >", "name": "mega-nastar-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
• >", "name": "mega-shop-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideinc.com/outside-books/">Outside Books
• >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap
• >", "name": "mega-backpacker-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.backpacker.com/">Backpacker
• >", "name": "mega-climbing-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.climbing.com/">Climbing
• >", "name": "mega-flyfilmtour-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://flyfilmtour.com/">Fly Fishing Film Tour
• >", "name": "mega-gaiagps-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.gaiagps.com/">Gaia GPS
• >", "name": "mega-npt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nationalparktrips.com/">National Park Trips
• >", "name": "mega-outsideonline-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.outsideonline.com/">Outside
• >", "name": "mega-outsidetv-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://watch.outsideonline.com">Watch
• >", "name": "mega-ski-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.skimag.com/">Ski
• >", "name": "mega-warrenmiller-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://warrenmiller.com/">Warren Miller Entertainment
• >", "name": "mega-ce-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.cleaneatingmag.com/">Clean Eating
• >", "name": "mega-oxy-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.oxygenmag.com/">Oxygen
• >", "name": "mega-vt-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.vegetariantimes.com/">Vegetarian Times
• >", "name": "mega-yj-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.yogajournal.com/">Yoga Journal
• >", "name": "mega-beta-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.betamtb.com/">Beta
• >", "name": "mega-roll-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.rollmassif.com/">Roll Massif
• >", "name": "mega-trail-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://trailrunnermag.com/">Trail Runner
• >", "name": "mega-tri-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.triathlete.com/">Triathlete
• >", "name": "mega-vn-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://velo.outsideonline.com/">Velo
• >", "name": "mega-wr-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.womensrunning.com/">Women's Running
• >", "name": "mega-athletereg-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.athletereg.com/">athleteReg
• >", "name": "mega-bicycleretailer-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.bicycleretailer.com/">Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• >", "name": "mega-finisherpix-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.finisherpix.com/">FinisherPix
• >", "name": "mega-idea-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.ideafit.com/">Idea
• >", "name": "mega-nastar-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.nastar.com/">NASTAR
• >", "name": "mega-shop-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://shop.outsideonline.com/">Outside Shop
• >", "name": "mega-vp-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.velopress.com/">VeloPress
• >", "name": "mega-veloswap-link-accordion", "type": "link"}}' href="https://www.veloswap.com/">VeloSwap

2-FOR-1 GA TICKETS WITH OUTSIDE+

Don’t miss Thundercat, Fleet Foxes, and more at the Outside Festival.

GET TICKETS

OUTSIDE FESTIVAL JUNE 1-2

Don't miss Thundercat + Fleet Foxes, adventure films, experiences, and more!

2022 Tour de France

Best Of | 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Stage 8: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Stage 3: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Stage 21: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 21: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 1: Upstaged | 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Stage 1: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift

Stage 20: Upstaged | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 20: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 20: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 19: Upstaged | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 19: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 19: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 18: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 18: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 17: Upstaged | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 17: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 17: Final Kilometer | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 16: Upstaged | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 16: Highlights | 2022 Tour de France

Stage 13: highlights | 2022 tour de france.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

This year marks the 109th Tour de France. The race starts in Copenhagen, Denmark, and will end with the final stage at Champs-Élysées, Paris. For the first time, the women’s Tour de France Femmes will premier. The first stage begins on the final day of the Tour.

Tour de France Stage 13 Preview: Fireworks, Literally and Figuratively

Attacks should go right from the drop of the flag as riders try to book a ticket into the day’s big breakaway.

Stage 13 - Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne to Grand Colombier (137.8km) - Friday, July 14

Friday is Bastille Day, and to honor the occasion the organizers of the Tour de France always plan something special for the legions of fans watching the race on TV or from the roadside. And since this year’s holiday falls on a Friday, Stage 13 is the first of three days of expected fireworks as the Tour heads back into the mountains, beginning with a summit finish atop the Hors Categorie (“Beyond Category”) Grand Colombier.

Beginning in Châtillon-Sur-Chalaronne (another first-time Tour host), we’re expecting a fast start. Attacks should go right from the drop of the flag as riders try to book a ticket into the day’s big breakaway. All of the French teams will send a rider or two up the road. A stage win is always a big deal for French riders and teams, but a stage win on Bastille Day? That’s the stuff dreams are made of!

Once the break goes it will be up to Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates, the teams of Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)–the top-2 riders on the Tour’s General Classification–to determine how much of lead they’ll be allowed to build. If they let the break run away from the peloton–as they did on Sunday’s stage to the Puy de Dôme–then we’ll essentially have two races to enjoy: the race to win the stage and–several minutes later–the race to win the Tour.

Working in favor of a potential breakaway is the fact that Stage 12 was so hard–and Stages 14 and 15 are even harder. So Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates might be happy to let a large group of stage hunters head up the road and save themselves for the Grand Colombier.

On the other hand, this stage is about 45km shorter than Stage 9 and there are no categorized climbs on the way to the Colombier, with the only real elevation gain coming as the riders climb up to Hauteville-Lompnes for the day’s intermediate sprint. Once through there they’ll plunge down to the Rhône river valley and the town of Culoz, from which the final ascent begins.

The Tour first tackled the Grand Colombier in 2012–and again in 2017–but it was first used as a summit finish in 2020, when Pogačar won the stage on the way to winning his first Tour de France.

There are four routes to the summit, and each year local cyclists organize a ride called the “Bugey Pyramid” that loops together all of them in a painful celebration of the mountain. In 2020 the riders completed three of them, but this year they’ll climb it just once, but from the same approach as they did at the finish in 2020–so many of them will know it well. And it’s a beast of an ascent with 17.4km of climbing, an average gradient of 7.1 percent, and few pitches that hit 12 percent just for good measure.

In 2020, an elite group stayed together up the climb, with attacks coming on the final ramps to the finish line. But the stage was longer and much harder in 2020, with two climbs before the Grand Colombier. Vingegaard Pogačar will be fresher this year, so whether they’re racing for the stage win themselves or racing a few minutes behind a breakaway, they might attack one another a bit further down the mountain in the hopes of creating bigger gaps than we saw three years ago.

Riders to watch

France’s Warren Barguil (Arkéa-Samsic) is the home favorite. He’s the quintessential French hero: a handsome climber who likes to attack. He’s not strong enough to win from a group with riders like Vingegaard and Pogačar, but if a breakaway survives, the former winner of the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition will have a chance.

The same goes for Canada’s Mike Woods (Israel-PremierTech), who won Stage 9 with a perfectly-timed effort up the Puy de Dôme, and Italy’s Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) who’s been quiet the past few days is perhaps saving himself for Stage 13.

But if the race comes back together or the breakaway is caught by a small group of GC contenders on the lower slopes of the Grand Colombier, it’s hard to see anyone other than Vingegaard and Pogačar winning the stage.

When to Watch

Whether the stage becomes two races or one, everything will go down on the Grand Colombier, which the race should hit around 10:30 a.m. EDT. Don’t miss it!

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

.css-1t6om3g:before{width:1.75rem;height:1.75rem;margin:0 0.625rem -0.125rem 0;content:'';display:inline-block;-webkit-background-size:1.25rem;background-size:1.25rem;background-color:#F8D811;color:#000;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-position:center;background-position:center;}.loaded .css-1t6om3g:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/bicycling/static/images/chevron-design-element.c42d609.svg);} Tour de France

2024 Tour de France May Start Using Drones

The 2024 Tour de France Can’t Miss Stages

Riders Weigh In on the Tour de France Routes

2024 Tour de France Femmes Can't-Miss Stages

How Much Money Do Top Tour de France Teams Make?

2024 Tour de France/ Tour de France Femmes Routes

How Much Did Tour de France Femmes Riders Earn?

5 Takeaways from the Tour de France Femmes

Who Won the 2023 Tour de France Femmes?

Results From the 2023 Tour de France Femmes

Previewing Stage 8: 2023 Tour de France Femmes

Tour de France 2023 Route stage 13: Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne - Grand Colombier

The Tour de France never before visited Châtillon-sur-Chalaronne, a village 50 kilometres north of Lyon. The yellow caravan goes eastward to penetrate the Jura Mountains. The end station is the summit of the Grand Colombier, a mountain that was first used in the 2012 La Grande Boucle. This will be the fifth inclusion, while it will be the second finish at the top. The first Grand Colombier finish happened in 2020.

Back then, the race was kicking the peloton all over the Grand Colombier. Literaly. The riders tackled the colossus from several sides before eventually pushing on all the way to the top. That day, Le Tour served Montée de la Selle de Fromentel (11.1 kilometres at 8.1%), Col de la Biche (6.9 kilometres at 8.9%), and the Grand Colombier (17.4 kilometres at 7.1%) in the last 75 kilometres. Strangely, nothing much happened. Jumbo-Visma set a blistering pace and eventually their leader Primoz Roglic was outsprinted by Tadej Pogacar. A nasty stain on a perfectly executed strategy.

The approach is less demanding this time, and let’s hope it inspires the peloton to more action. The riders climb to the Lèbe observatory – a long drag at shallow gradients – 16.4 kilometres at 3% -, before descending to Artemare. After 10 kilometres on the flat the finish climb kicks in from Culoz. Which is the same as in 2020, so the last 17.4 kilometres climb at 7.4% to the line. The final 3.4 kilometres rise at 9.2% to the line.

The Grand Colombier peaks out at over 1,500 metres. Since there are no surrounding mountains the panoramic 360° view is breathtaking.

The first three riders on the line gain time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds.

Ride the route yourself? Download GPX stage 13 2023 Tour de France.

Another interesting read: results 13th stage 2023 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2023 stage 13: routes, profiles, more

Click on the images to zoom

I will miss seeing the Alpe d’Huez

Live coverage

As it happened: izagirre gives cofidis another win on tour de france stage 12.

Basque rider emerges from the attacks to win hilly 168.8km stage to Belleville-en-Beaujolais

Tour de France latest results and news Tour de France 2023 - Stage 12 preview Tour de France: Jasper Philipsen flies to fourth sprint victory on stage 11 How to watch the 2023 Tour de France – live streaming

100km to go

120km to go, 140km to go, 145km to go, 150km to go.

Bonjour and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 12 of the 2023 Tour de France.

After the quiet stage and then thrilling sprint finish and Jasper Philipsen’s fourth win in Moulins, we’re expecting a lot more attacks and perhaps even a GC battle today. 

The riders are currently signing on inside the Le Scarabée event venue. 

Ineos Grenadiers are on stage, with Egan Bernal getting a huge cheer. He could try to go in the attacks today.

Stage 12 takes the Tour through countryside dappled with vineyards that produce red and rosé wines. 

Roanne is to the west of the production of grapes that become Beaujolais, which hosted its only other occasion as a Tour stage start in 2008. 

That stage in the final week was won in a breakaway by Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, and a breakaway could make its mark from Roanne again.

The rolling terrain across the 168.8 kilometres will cross climbs of the Col de la Croix Montmain and the Col de la Croix Rosier for a first-time finish for the Tour in Belleville-en-Beaujolais. 

Like stage 11, Paris-Nice has found a regular stop in this village on the banks of the Rhône River, last in 2014.

We expect attacks and breakaways to form on the  brutal stage 10 , with the hilly start meaning only those with great legs will make the move of the day. 

Expect  Krists Neilands (Israel-Premier Tech)  to want retribution after falling just short on stage 10 and Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-QuickStep) will surely want to try again.

Neilson Powless  and Magnus Cort could also both perform well on a stage like this for EF. T

he former will also want to chase the 19 King of Mountains points available to extend his stint in the polka-dot jersey before the Alps.

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma)  sits 17 seconds ahead of Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates).

Vingegaard admitted he is worried about early attacks from Pogacar and Vingegaard.

Logic suggests both will wait for the Grand Colombier (17.4km at 7.1%) summit finish on Friday but who knows in modern day 'Full-gas' racing.

After Jumbo-Visma, the last team to sign on is Alpecin-Deceuninck of stage winner Jasper Philipsen.  

Missing from the sign on is Fabio Jakobsen who decided not to start today due to his  crash injuries. 

Click below to read more about his abandon.

Fabio Jakobsen abandons Tour de France due to stage 4 crash injuries

The riders have gathered outside the modern Le Scarabée event hall. 

Roanne is a stage start for the second time after 2008. 

At the finish of that day in Montluçon, Sylvain Chavanel claimed his maiden Tour win, while Roanne was the setting for Wout van Aert's time trial win in the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné, the day of Chris Froome’s horrific crash during training.

That day arguably marked the generational change in the sport, with the rise  of Tadej Pogacar, Van Aert, Mathieu van der Poel, Jonas Vingegaard and then Remco Evenepoel.    

The riders are lone-up at the start. The flag is about to drop. 

The riders face a 10.4km neutralised ride to the official stage start.   

On y va! It's time to race.  

The four jersey wearers are tucked tight  behind the race director car. 

Nobody want to lose position up front today. 

This was the atmosphere at the indoor sign-on. 

🇫🇷 #TDF2023Bonjour Roanne 👋 pic.twitter.com/H0RzDJ9o46 July 13, 2023

Radio Tour has confirmed that Fabio Jakobsen is the only non-starter today.

These are likely the only quiet moments of the stage.

🤔 Breakaway? Sprint? Who will win today in Belleville-en-Beaujolais? Today's stage is a very difficult one to predict!🤔 Echappée ? Sprint ? Qui s'imposera à Belleville-en-Beaujolais ? L'étape du jour est particulièrement difficile à préfire !#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/Oi2hxILfol July 13, 2023

3km to take off! 

1km to the drop of the flag but there is already a fight for position.  

Tom Pidcock is one of the GC riders up front.  

There's a slight headwind at the start. While a puncture for Gogl of Alpecin will delay the start for a moment.

Gogl gets a wheel change and he is given a tow by a race motorbike. 

Christian Prudhomme waves the flag and so the stage is underway! 

Allez! 

Boom! Mads Pedersen attacks and goes clear alone!  

But here come other riders. 

We have more riders on the move. 

Fred Wright, Mathieu van der Poel and Alberto Bettiol have joined Pedersen.

Other groups are forming behind them, as riders try to get away before the early climbs start.

Julian Alaphilippe and wout Van Aert are also part of a big group up front. 

The speed is high. 

The riders are trying to get in the right attack, without going too deep. It's a game of cat and mouse as riders chase each other like crazy. 

Now Mohoric takes off at speed but Van Aert closes him down.

Bernal and Skjelmose join them but here come the peloton.

The riders crest a minor climb but will soon start the Cat 3 Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs. 

More attacks will surely come very soon.  

It's hard up front but at the back too. 

Caleb Ewan has been distanced and will have to fight to get back on. 

The Australian sprinter has yet to secure a win this year but has been close. However he faces four days of suffering as the Tour heads to the Alps.

Up front Mohoric lines out the peloton again as Peter Sagan suffers too. 

Victor Lafay sparks another surge and he is joined by Van Aert and Marc Soler, as the GC teams also position key riders.

Skjelmose pushes on as more sprinters are dropped.

The riders near the summit of the Côte de Thizy-les-Bourgs but the road keeps rolling. 

Dani Martinez of Ineos was first to the summit and pushes on with others.

The attacks and chases keep coming and coming.

Everyone wants to be in the move and is scared to miss the right attack. 

Gruppo compatto but the speed is really high. It could stay like this for a while as the riders race over a rolling plateau. 

Wow! The road rises and Van Aert does a massive turn on the front to try to split the peloton.

He has caused damage and split the peloton. 

Crash! 

A number of riders go down, including Quentin Pacher of Groupama.

David de la Cruz of Astana also went down hard. 

Van Aert is stilling surging at the front and has created a break.  

There are some big names in the move.

There are eight riders in the front group. 

Alaphilippe is also there, plus two riders from Lotto.

Mathieu van der Poel is there too as the peloton eases up. 

Suddenly the attack is up to 20+ but more riders are  coming across.  

Sadly David de la Cruz has abandoned the Tour after his crash. He was taken away by ambulance.

There is a chase group at just 30 seconds, with the peloton, including Philipsen, at 1:40.

Pogacar and Vingegaard are in the chase group ands closing the gap but Simon Yates, Powless and Gaudu are further back. 

They are 45 seconds down and need to react, while more attacks are going off the front.   

The riders are near the top of the Cat 3 Col des Écorbans climb. 

Near the front Pogacar and Vingegaard are marking each other but also playing games, making soft attacks. 

Ciccone edges away from another Van Aert to take the points at the top of the KOM.

Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) is still at 55 seconds. He was fifth overall and so other riders and teams will ride to keep him distanced. 

Surprisingly Adam Yates - Pogacar's teammate and key support, is also in the chase group with his twin brother. 

However this are fluid and ever changing. 

Simon Yates seems to be back in the front group but that was a worry for a moment.

Boom! Van Aert goes again! 

He clearly knows this is his last chance of a stage win before the Alps and he is going for it. 

Yet what does that mean for Vingegaard and protecting the yellow jersey?  

Van Aert is solo! That's how strong he is. 

Meanwhile, Landa, O'Connor, Kuss and others are at 1:30.  

Neilson Powless is also in the chase group at 1:35. He is struggling to score KOM points today.

Van Aert is swept up but he has only inspired  more attacks. 

The riders have  raced over 50km. the early part in the hills, at an average speed of 46.7km/h. 

As Movistar describe it, Otro arranque a fuego - another firey start.

50 km sin escapada en la 12ª etapa de @letour_es | #TDF2023.Sesenta ciclistas en cabeza, con cuatro de Movistar Team: @Rguerreiro94, @MatteoJorg, @aranburualex y @Nelsoliveira89.Otro arranque a fuego 🔥🤯📸 @GettySport pic.twitter.com/17kk7Axum8 July 13, 2023

The next move comes from Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) and Wilco Kelderman (Jumbo-Visma) 

There is a definite GC strategy at play here too. 

The attacks are chased down as the front group is reduced more and more. There are fewer Classics riders and more GC riders and their key domestiques.

After 65km raced, the riders will enjoy a descent into the valley. Then after 30km in the Beaujolais, the three nasty climbs feature.  

Mads Pedersen is on a great day and has joined Skjelmose and Kelderman. 

Lidl-Trek have 2 riders up front.

The yellow jersey group is only 25 seconds down on the front attack, as other chase in between. 

The racing has been so fast and so aggressive that there are six riders off the front and then 12 riders in the yellow jersey group.   

The chase group including Bernal, Kuss and Powless is at 3:45, with the green jersey at 9:00 and Ewan struggling even further back. 

And  there are still 90km in the hills to race!

The attack is now bigger than the yellow jersey group. 

Even Thibaut Pinot has jumped across to the attack.

The yellow jersey group is the same size as the attack, with 12 riders in each, so the break is finally going away. 

Julian Alaphilippe and Jasper Stuyven are in no-man's land, trying to go across to the attack. Loulou doesn't want to miss this train and a chance to win the stage.

Ouch... Alaphilippe and Stuyven are at 30 seconds and so may have missed it.

The yellow jersey group has swollen to 39 riders as some stragglers get back on but everyone else is at 6:00. 

The break of 12 are joined by Alaphilippe and Stuyven, with the Vingegaard group at 2:00. 

The race has, after 95km of attacking, finally settled. But the climbs will soon start again.

The rider are in the Beaujolais hills and vineyards. Yet the three categorised climbs are still to come. 

So much could still happen today, in  the fight for the stage win and also in the GC battle. 

Jumbo-Visma are now leading the Vingegaard group. Van Aert, Laporte and Kelderman are taking turns at tempo, letting the gap extendtslowly.   

The Powless, Landa group is at 6:30 and we'll see if they can close it. 

The first of the three climbs start in 5km.  

There are three climbs in the final 60km of the stage:

The Col de la Casse Froide: 5.3km  at 6.1%

The Col de la Croix Montmain: 5.5km at 6.1%

Col de la Croix Rosie: 5.3km at 7.6%.

The last climb also offers Bonus Sprint seconds, all with 28.5km to go and a fast ride to the finish.  

😅 A summary of the race so far, provided by @rusty_woods.😅 Un résumé de l'étape, par @rusty_woods.#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/8YSmWidIiV July 13, 2023

Thibaut Pinot is in the front group and so targeting a stage win today. All of France and many watching around the world will be cheering for him. 

The riders are now on the Col de la Casse Froide. It climbs up through the fields and forests.

AG2R are leading the chase of the attack but are 3:00 down but the question is why. 

There only 18 riders in the group, with Fred Wright the latest to drop back.   

The break reaches the top of the Col de la Casse Froide. 

Their lead is down to 2:40 as some riders suffer in the group.  

Chute! 

A number of riders in the chase group go down, including Ciccone. 

He is okay but needs a new bike. Woods was also caught in the crash but was not hurt.

Ciccone has cuts and road rash on his arm and knee but rides on.

Van der Poel is off the front with Amador, perhaps trying to get ahead before the second climb of the finale. 

They lead by 15 seconds and will need that on the Col de la Croix Montmain: 5.5km at 6.1%.

The Col de la Croix Montmain is a real climb. It'll be interesting to see if it sparks other attacks. 

Vingegaard had to stay active and control Pogacar during the attacks but he's sat safely in the peloton now.  

Up front Jorgenson has jumped across as Pedersen is dropped and so too is Alaphilippe. He made a big effort to go across to the move and is paying for it now. 

There is a real shake-out in the attack on the Col de la Croix Montmain. 

The shake-out is also out front, with van der Poel cruelly jumping away from Amador. 

Was he not working with the Dutchman. Whatever, the climbers are on the move on  the climb. 

MvdP said he was ill with some kind of cold and took it steady during stages 10 and 11. 

Today he's on the attack again.

This was MvdP's attack.  

💥 @mathieuvdpoel attacks at the front and drops @Andrey_Amador.💥 @mathieuvdpoel attaque et distance @Andrey_Amador.#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/70aggkS0hW July 13, 2023

Van der Poel takes a bidon of water from his father Adri on the side of ghe road.

Van der Poel crests the Col de la Croix Montmain, some 15 seconds ahead of the other attackers. 

There is still so much that can happen in the final 40km.

Behind AG2R are still chasing and leading the Vingegaard group, the gap is down to 2:50.

Van der Poel dives down the descent and tries to extends his lead on the chasers.

The chase starts, with Pinot going with Jorgenson on the descent. 

The quiet in the Vingegaard group has allowed some riders to get back on, including Mikel Landa.

Meanwhile the steeper Col de la Croix Rosie has started. 

Pinot and Jorgenson are close to catching MvdP.  

The chasers are at 35 seconds.

The riders come back together yet again, halfway up the climb.    

The race for the stage win is very tactical and could go lots of ways.

Ion Izagirre (Cofidis) goes solo and Van der Poel is dropped. 

Meanwhile... Behind, Ineos take control of the peloton. What are they cooking? 

Izagirre crests the Col de la Croix Rosie with a lead of just 8 seconds.

Jorgenson and Pinot lead the chase.

Wout van Aert has been dropped from the Vingegaard group. Let's hope his leader does not need him in the final 25km. 

Ion Izagirre is diving  down the descent to try to win the stage.

Ineos are perhaps riding to protect the GC placings of Pidock and Rodriguez and so chase Pinot They are perhaps just riding on the front to stay safe on the technical descent.  

Crash for Torstein Træen. That's his third  and he is already racing with a micro fracture in his elbow.

Ion Izagirre has pushed his lead out to 40 seconds. 

That could be enough for the flat race to the finish. 

Ion Izagirre is going all in to stay away. He could give Cofidis their second stage win of this year's Tour after Lafay's win in San Sebastian on stage 2.

Behind the chasers aren't strong enough and organised enough.

Ineos have five riders on the front, including Bernal as they try to limit the time that Pinot gains in the GC.

If Pinot gains 4:00, he could move past Pidcock in the GC and take 8th place. Of course he will surely pay for his big effort in the Alps.  

Here is Ion Izagirre as he goes full gas.

En vrai. Ion, s'il gagne, on voit tout de suite une vidéo ressortir 🕺🎶#TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/ujsPjIfGFJ July 13, 2023

Cofidis also has Guillaume Martin in the break and he's doing what he can to slow the chase.

It's July 14 and Bastille Day tomorrow and so Cofidis will have plenty to celebrate.

Ion Izagirre won a stage in the Tour de France to Morzine in 2016. 

He also won a stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2012 and La Vuelta in 2020.

Jorgenson makes an acceleration but the other  jump on his wheel. 

Izagirre leads by a minute and so he's not going to be caught.

Jorgenson gets away with Mathieu Burgaudeau but it's too late.

Ion Izagirre is on his way to victory in Belleville-en-Beaujolais.

The last kilometre in Belleville-en-Beaujolais is a ride of celebration for the Basque rider.

Izagirre punches the air and celebrates his stage win in Belleville-en-Beaujolais.

Cofidis had to wait 15 years for a stage wi, now they have 2 in two weeks.

After 3:52 of full gas racing, Mathieu Burgaudeau takes second and Jorgenson is third. 

Tiesj Benoot is fourth a few seconds back, with Thibaut Pinot only sixth.

The GC group finishes 4:20 down on Izagirre but were all together. Vingegaard stays in the leader's yellow jersey. 

Here's the moment Ion Izagirre won alone. 

Simon Geschke invades the podium are to hug Izagirre. Everyone is overjoyed at Cofidis.

In the GC, Pogacar remains at 17 seconds, with Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) third at 2:40

On Friday the Tour climbs into the Alps with stage 13 to Grand Colombier and a 17.4km climb to the line at 7.1%. 

Here is Izagirre's victory celebration. 

It was a long time coming for Izagirre but he performed a master piece with a solo win from 30KM out. Relive the last KM ⤵️ Elle aura pris du temps, mais Ion Izagirre retrouve enfin la victoire sur le Tour, après un run solitaire spectaculaire ⤵️ #TDF2023 @continental_fr pic.twitter.com/DYYjouXe3l July 13, 2023

Here's the moment Izagirre won.

Izagirre waves and smiles on the podium. It is a big day for him. Chapeau!

To read our stage report and see our growing photo gallery of all the action, click below. 

Tour de France: Ion Izagirre secures solo victory on frantic stage 12

It was a fast but controlled day for race leader Jonas Vingegaard. He will be hoping for a similar day on Friday.

Thanks for joining us for full live coverage of stage 12. We'll be back on Friday, Bastille Day in France, for stage 13, to Grand Colombier in the Alps.

It's a 17.4km mountain finish and so a major GC day. Bring on Vingegaard and Pogacar!   

Latest on Cyclingnews

Amstel Gold Race past winners 2024

Tom Pidcock out of Itzulia Basque Country with hip injury from crash in time trial recon

April fools: Remco Evenepoel loses out on aero advantage in Itzulia Basque Country time trial amid head sock ban mix-up

Tour of Flanders gallery: Mathieu van der Poel and Elisa Longo Borghini's spectacular triumphs in pictures

Cancellara's Classics column: Mathieu van der Poel will break the Tour of Flanders record, it's just a matter of time

As it happened: Itzulia Basque Country stage 1 time trial

Itzulia Basque Country stage 1: Primoz Roglic takes stage win despite late detour

Itzulia Basque Country 2024 start list

How to watch Itzulia Basque Country – live streaming

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Tour de France 2023: Izagirre breaks away to win chaotic stage 12 – as it happened

The Basque veteran prevailed on a day the peloton travelled through wine country and at times seemed drunk in a stage that was little short of bonkers

• Read Jeremy Whittle’s report from Belleville-en-Beaujolais
• 13 Jul 2023 The top five on General Classification after stage 12
• 13 Jul 2023 The top five in stage 12
• 13 Jul 2023 Ion Izagirre wins stage 12!!!
• 13 Jul 2023 They're racing on stage 12
• 13 Jul 2023 Today's roll-out has begun
• 13 Jul 2023 Fabio Jakobsen has abandoned
• 13 Jul 2023 Who's in what jersey?
• 13 Jul 2023 Philipsen powers to fourth sprint win
• 13 Jul 2023 The top five on General Classification
• 13 Jul 2023 Stage 12: Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais (168.8km)

Stage 12 report: The Basque rider Ion Izagirre, riding for Cofidis, won stage 12 from Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais in the Rhone, after a solo attack in the final 30km. It was his team’s second success in this year’s Tour, following the French rider Victor Lafay’s win in San Sebastián, on stage two.

After another frantic opening to the stage, in which multiple riders fought to escape the peloton, the race eventually settled down, but only after close to 80km of attacking, with two main groups battling for control of the situation.

Jeremy Whittle reports from Belleville-en-Baujolais

The top five on General Classification after stage 12

Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 50hr 30min 23sec

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) +17sec

Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) +2min 40sec

Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +4min 22sec

Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) +4min 34sec

Sepp Cuss drops out of the top 10 and is replaced by Thibaut Pinot, who is 6min 33sec off the pace.

The top five in stage 12

1. Ion Izagirre 3hr 51min 42sec 2. Mathieu Burgaudeau +58sec 3. Matteo Jorgenson +58sec 4. Tiesj Benoot +1min 06sec 5. Tobias Halland Johannessen +1min 11sec

Ion Izagirre makes it 2 @LeTour stage wins for himself, and 2 stage wins for @TeamCofidis and for 🇪🇸Spain in #TDF2023 He covered the last 30km on his own at an average of 49.5km/h #TDFdata #TDF2023 https://t.co/kMMWk3IvUe — letourdata (@letourdata) July 13, 2023

The battle for second and third: Burgaudeau rolls over the line in second place ahead of Matteo Jorgenson.

Ion Izagirre wins stage 12!!!

It’s been a wonderful, chaotic afternoon’s racing and it’s won by the Basque rider, who takes a second stage for Cofidis, who hadn’t won one in the 15 previous years. Izagirre pumps his right fist as he milks the applause of the crowd in the final 500 metres. Approaching the finish line, he blows kisses to the crowds and raises his arms above his head. Chapeau, Ion.

4km to go: With his teeth gritted, Izagirre ploughs on with those behind him duking it out for the other two podium places. Jorgenson and Martin go clear of the other four.

5km to go: Apologies, there are six riders in the group behind Ion Izagirre, but one of them is a teammate of the Spaniard’s and has been trying to sabotage the hunt. Wout Poels is towing the yellow jersey group, who are 4min 20sec behind the stage leader.

7km to go: It’s been a wild ride, with today’s stage being one of the most chaotic I can ever recall. The five riders behind Izagirre have completely given up their chase. His lead goes out to a minute.

10km to go: Izagirre’s Cofidis teammate Guillaume Martin is in the group of riders chasing the leader and is doing his best to disrupt what is currently passing for their rhythm. His pal has a lead of 48 seconds and will win his second ever Tour de France stage barring an accident.

Caleb Ewan watch: He’s 30 minutes off the pace and still has to negotiate the final climb. He might make it but it will be tight.

12km to go: Izagirre leads by 43 seconds from the small group of riders chasing him. They no longer seem to be working together, which is good news for the Spaniard.

14km to go: The final descent finished, it’s fairly flat from now until the finish with a couple of little kicks. Izagirre is stretching his lead and it’s now at 55 seconds. The yellow jersey group are 3min 07sec further back.

15km to go: Seven years since his most recent Tour de France stage, Izagirre has a commanding lead of 49 seconds over the chasing Benoot, Pinot, Martin, Jorgenson , Johannessen and Burgaudeau. He’ll take some beating.

20km to go: Ion Izagirre is 36 seconds clear with six riders giving chase. Mathieu van der Poel is over a minute behind our leader and his goose looks well and truly cooked.

27km to go: Out on the course for Eurosport, Jens Voigt reports that the occupants of an AG2R-Citreon car have been given an almighty rollocking by a race official for allowing two of their riders to draft behind the car. They’ll probably get fined for that.

28km to go: Izagirre goes over the top, collecting eight bonus seconds that are of absolutely no use to him.

29km to go: Matteo Jorgenson and Thibaut Pinaut attack off the front of the six riders in the group chasing Izagirre with less than a kilometre of the final climb to go.

30km to go: With two kilometres to go, Cofidis rider Ion Izagirre pulls clear of the lead group and opens a gap of 27 seconds. Mathieu van der Poel is struggling to stay in touch with the rest of the leaders, while Ineos Grenadiers have taken up position at the front of the yellow jersey group.

32km to go: Our lead trio are joined by another five riders, including Izagirre, Benoot, Martin and Johannesson. It’s bad news for Mathieu van der Poel, who is the fastest rider of them all in a finish. The rest of those in his group will be doing their damnedest to drop him.

32km to go: At the head of the race, Mathieu van der Poel is joined by Thibaut Pinot and Matteo Jorgenson on the final climb of the day.

33km to go: “What rider number is Jai Hindley and where is he in todays race,” asks Anna. The correct answer is (a) No71 and (b) in the yellow jersey group.

35km to go: Mathieu van der Poel is approaching the final climb of the day and it’s a category two bruiser. The Col de la Croix Rosier is 717m high and 5.3km in length with an average of gradient of 7.6 per cent to pile the pain on already tormented legs.

The yellow jersey group is 3min 35sec behind Alpecin-Deceuninck rider Van Der Poel. He has a lead of 20 seconds over Thibaut Pinot and Matteo Jorgenson, who are 11 seconds clear of another trio.

37km to go: In 12th place on GC, the South African rider Louis Meintjes has done exceptionally well to bridge the gap from the polka-dot jersey group to the yellow jersey group.

41km to go: There is a very, very tricky and clearly signposted u-turn on this descent and Mathiu van der Poel almost comes a cropper and goes into some sandbags as he negotiates it. It could claim a few victims in a couple of minutes time.

⛰️ @mathieuvdpoel takes the 5 points at the summit of the Col de la Croix Montmain! ⛰️ @mathieuvdpoel prend les 5 points au sommet du Col de la Croix Montmain ! #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/ALkQl9TuV4 — Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 13, 2023

44km to go: Mathieu van der Poel goes over the top with a lead of 17 seconds from his closest poursuivants. Will the breakaway regroup by the bottom of this descent?

44km to go: Jumbo-Visma have four riders including Jonas Vingegaard in the yellow jersey group, compared to the six UAE Emirates representative, including Tadej Pogacar.

45km to go: Mathieu van der Poel has a lead of 30 seconds over the chasing posse of 10 riders. The yellow jersey group is two minutes further back and dropping bodies like John Wick in a particularly bad mood.

47km to go: Having been ill for the past two days, Mathieu van der Poel drops Andrey Amador is now out in front on his own on the climb. Dylan Teuns is the latest to struggle as the day’s breakaway group thins out.

48km to go: Mads Pedersen and Julian Alaphilippe are dropped by the lead group, while Jasper Stuyven is also struggling. Matteo Jorgenson, by contrast, is trying to bridge the gap to the two leaders, Van Der Poel and Amador.

50km to go: Amador and Van Der Poel open a gap of 15 seconds on the rest of the breakaway on the foot of the nexct climb, the Col de la Croix Montmain. It’s 737m high and 5.5km in length with an average gradient of 6.1%.

53km to go: “If that explosive lunchtime concoction of food doesn’t propel you up the Col de la Casse Froide then nothing will,” writes Ger McCarthy.

55km to go: In the lead group, Mathieu van der Poel puts his foot down on the descent, with Andrey Amador hot on his heels.

58km to go: Giuliu Ciccone is one of five riders who hit the asphalt in a collision as various riders collect musettes in a feed zone. He looks fit to continue, although he did briefly clutch his shoulder Cavendish-style. He remounts and pedals away.

61km to go: AG2R-Citreon are doing the hard work at the front of the yellow jersey group and have chipped 30 seconds off the lead group’s advantage, which is now down to 3min 10sec. It’s a mightily strong lead group of 15 riders and it’s nigh on impossible to pick a winner.

In an interview with Eurosport’s Jens Voigt, their team boss explains that they’re trying to minimise the gap and try to move their riders closer to the top 10 on GC. Their highest placed representative is Felix Gall in 16th place. Ben O’Connor is in 17th place but has missed out on today’s yellow jersey group. I’m far from an expert but it seems a lot of effort for very little return, in my humble opinion.

62km to go: The riders are on their way up the third categorised climb of the day, the Col de la Casse Froide. It’s 740m high and 5.3km in length with an average gradient of 6%. The road is narrow and pleasantly dappled by the sun shining through the thick canopy of trees lining each side of the road.

63km to go: “Come on Baz!” writes Joe Pearson. “Make like Sarah Rendell and regale us with the mouth-watering details of your snacks!”

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess my colleague Sarah Rendell eats far more healthily, but having finally got to inspect the contents of my musette, I can reveal it contains a ham, cheese and salad sandwich with salad cream between two slices of wholemeal bread; two Activia yoghurts (one apricot, one strawberry), a bag of cheese and onion crisps and a handful of wine gums. I’ve also been handed a bidon of lemon Fanta. That’ll do.

64km to go: There are 39 riders in the yellow jersey group, with pretty much everyone from the top 10 on GC present and correct as far as I can tell. Louis Meintjes (12th) and Mikel Landa (14th) have definitely missed that particular bus. Interestingly, Thibaut Pinot, who is 15th on GC, 9min 36sec behind race leader Jonas Vingegaard, is in today’s breakaway. The gap is 3min 32sec.

69km to go: The gap from the 15-man breakaway to the yellow jersey group stretches to 3min 28sec, while the polka-dot jersey group is another three minutes further back.

Caleb Ewan watch: The Aussie sprinter is now being accompanied by a teammate but is already 18 minutes behind the leaders. With most of the day’s climbing still to come, his chances of making the cut-off already look extremely slim.

At a guesstimate, he’d probably need to finish within around 40 minutes of today’s stage winner to avoid being thrown off the race and his team won’t want to lose two riders so he may have to do the lion’s share of today’s climbing on his own.

78km to go: Ladies and gentlemen, after 90 kilometres of racing we have ourselves a breakaway: Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Andrey Amador (EF Education-EasyPost), Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek), Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Guillaume Martin, Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Ruben Guerreiro and Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar), Dylan Teuns (Israel-PremierTech), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto-Dstny), Tobias Halland Johanessen (Uno-X) and Mathieu Burgaudeau (TotalEnergies).

They are 1min 35sec clear of the yellow jersey group and are about to be joined by Julian Alaphilippe and Jasper Stuyven.

Elsewhere on the course: the polka-dot jersey group of 60 riders is six minutes down on the leaders, while the green jersey group of 20 or so pedalling enthusiasts is a further four minutes behind. As for Caleb Ewan, well … more news as I get it.

82km to go: Our lead group of 13 riders (more of which anon) have a lead of a minute over the yellow jersey group and are being chased by Julian Alaphilipe and Jasper Stuyven, who are 32 seconds behind them.

On the race radio, Bora-Hansgrohe’s riders are told in the strongest possible terms not to mount any attacks and focus solely on protecting Jai Hindley, who is in third place on GC. Several of those riders potentially threatening his position on GC are in the group that is over five minutes behind the yellow jersey group, so this could be a great day for the Aussie in terms of cementing a podium place in Paris.

84km to go: In terms of pure chaos, this has been one of the most insane stages of the Tour I’ve ever seen; a total free-for-all but it finally seems to be settling down at the halfway mark.

87km to go: The breakaway group is now 13 riders strong, with Julian Alaphilippe trying to crash the party. The gap back to the considerably smaller (for now) yellow jersey group is 43 seconds.

87km to go: On the eve of Bastille Day, Thibaut Pinot attacks off the front of the yellow jersey group and is followed about a minute later by Julian Alaphilippe.

89km to go: On the Eurosport commentary team, there is general bafflement at the tactics (or apparent lack of them) being employed by race leader Jonas Vingegaard’s Jumbo-Visma team today. They’ve sent man after man after man on the attack. The yellow jersey group currently numbers about 10 riders, if that!

“I’m getting the impression I’m watching the junior Tour de France the way they’re all jumping around the place,” says Robbie McEwen.

91km to go: Andrey Amador, Ion Izaguirre and Matteo Jorgensen are about to join the lead trio, as more and more riders counter-attack off the front of the yellow jersey group.

94km to go: Benoot, Teuns and Pedersen are 29 seconds clear of the yellow jersey group, with a trio of riders on the road between them trying to double the escape party in numbers.

Just as it looks like things might be settling down, Bahrain Victorious attack off the front of the yellow jersey group as they’re hoping to get Fred Wright into any breakaway. This is carnage!

95km to go: I hope none of the riders have fallen into the same trap as me and got so caught up in the excitement that they have either forgotten to, or not had time to eat and drink. If these dispatches dry up, you’ll know I’ve succumbed to the dreaded hunger “knock” but I am assured sustenance is on its way so we should be good for the second half of the stage.

100km to go: Still on their descent, Teuns and Benoot are joined by Mads Pedersen because … well, of course they are. We’re almost 70 kilometres into a stage that has been super-aggressive from the gun and the only thing we can predict with any sort of certainty is that Caleb Ewan won’t be winning it.

106km to go: Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech) and Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma) go for broke and open a gap of 14 seconds on the yellow jersey group as they reach the top of an uncategorised climb. They begin their descent.

107km to go: The latest breakaway is neutralised and we’re still no closer to see this stage settling down. At the back of the field, poor Caleb Ewan is already 11 minutes off the pace and has been left to his own devices by his team. They haven’t tasked anyone with helping him and he’ll do exceptionally well to finish inside the time limit.

110km to go: Marc Soler (UAE Emirates) joins Kelderman and Skjelmose. The top two on GC now have teammates in the current breakaway. British Bahrain Victorious rider Fred Wright is trying to join them.

111km to go: Kelderman and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) have opened a gap of seven seconds on the yellow jersey group, which is now about 12 riders strong. They’ve opened a tiny gap on the rest of what’s left of the bunch.

112km to go: Wout van Aert has been caught on an aggressive stage that resembles one of the spring Classics. The polka-dot jersey is 1min 49sec behind the yellow jersaey group. “The animals have taken over the zoo,” says Robbie McEwen on Eurosport. Jumbo–Visma rider Wilco Kelderman is the latest rider to try to attack, a weird state of affairs when you could be forgiven for presuming he’d be tasked with protecting Jonas Vingegaard. Back in the bunch, neither vingegaard nor Pogacar have any teammates around them, but the latter is tracking the former’s every move.

118km to go: Wout van Aert is next to go and on a speedy downhill, opens a gap of 18 seconds. What passes for the peloton is about – and this is a very rough estimate from an aerial view – about 60 riders strong. Van Aert will presumably be hoping some riders can bridge the gap from the bunch to join him.

126km to go: There’s not a moment of respite as Soudal Quick-Step rider Dries Devenyns tries to attack but sees his effort foiled. The start to this stage has been little short of bonkers and the GC leaders won’t be enjoying it one bit. Nobody is in control of what appears to be a lawless wild west of a bunch.

127km to go: We’re still waiting for a breakaway but we do have the makings of a GC battle on our hands. Simon Yates is in a group alongside current King of the Mountains Neilson Powless, that is a minute down on the yellow jersey group.

• Tour de France 2023
• Tour de France

Most viewed