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British rider Fred Wright (Bahrain-Victorious) has recorded the second best time of today, with 27mins 40secs. That\u2019s 2mins 42secs behind Plapp\u2019s leading time. Not a bad effort from Wright given some punchy rides from him over the last few stages.<\/p>\n
Fred Wright of Bahrain-Victorious on the ITT course today. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Lenny Martinez is 1.7km from the finish of this ITT route. Spectators on the side of the road are roaring at him. Will he beat Luke Plapp\u2019s time?<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Jeremy has messaged in from France in response to Roland\u2019s message (see 1.16pm BST<\/a>). He says of Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s domination:<\/p>\n Roland has a bit of a point about Pog. But the same has been said of others in the past (Froome, Indur\u00e1in, Merckx, Anquetil, Hinault), yet we now look back on them as greats and to have been privileged to see it happen.<\/p>\n So all I\u2019d say to Roland is to stay calm, live in the moment, enjoy the combats that there are and appreciate the greats when you\u2019re lucky enough to live them. Spoken as a 68-year-old bike rider who grew up with the Beatles and Tom Simpson (RIP).<\/p>\n Bernard Th\u00e9venet and Eddy Merckx on the Champs-Elys\u00e9es in 1975. Photograph: Jean-Pierre Prevelgabriel Duval\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Clad in polka dots, Lenny Martinez has set off. A couple of interesting stats for you:<\/p>\n Luke Plapp, with the fastest ITT so far, completed the time trial at 26.2 km\/h.<\/p>\n Tim Merlier (Soudal-Quick Step) and Luka Mezgec (Jayco-Alula) have the slowest times so far, with 31mins 27secs and 31mins and 28secs respectively.<\/p>\n On the latter fact, the Tour race centre says:<\/p>\n Given the 40% margin established for the time cut, the hypothetical winner of today\u2019s stage would eliminate them if he crossed the finish line with a time more than 9mins faster than theirs: 22mins 27secs.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Here are some pictures from out on today\u2019s route:<\/p>\n Yellow, green and polka dot jerseys decorate a hairdressers on the stage 13 route. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesSoudal Quick-Step’s Tim Merlier in action today\u2019s ITT. Photograph: Beno\u00eet Tessier\/ReutersThibau Nys of Lidl-Trek competes during stage 13\u2019s ITT as spectators look on. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesAnthony Turgis TotalEnergies during stage 13. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Sorry Van Eetvelt, you\u2019ve been booted out of the hot seat by Luke Plapp who just finished his ITT in 24mins 58secs, 2mins and 51secs faster than the Lotto-Caps rider. Jayco-Alula\u2019s Plapp is an Australian ITT champion.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Roland has emailed in with his prediction for today\u2019s stage win, but also some thoughts on the GC competition:<\/p>\n Predictions? The Pog, the Pog and more Pog. Even if this might be a stage suited for Vingo, after yesterday\u2019s demonstration, I can\u2019t see any further than a certain Slovenian. And just for fun, he\u2019ll probably catch Vingegaard on the road and then finish the whole of the altiport climb pulling a wheelie.<\/p>\n On a more serious note, I\u2019m actually feeling a bit deflated about the race following the Pog\u2019s domination yesterday. I was hoping for a good scrap in the mountain stages, but, with only the first ITT and first high mountain stage gone and Vingo already three and a half minutes in arrears, it could well be a procession like last year\u2019s Giro \u2026 or the Pog could simply control his lead now, which would be even more dull.<\/p>\n Where\u2019s the interest now? The fight for second? KOM (though Poga\u010dar will probably get that too)? The green jersey? Probably the white jersey, between Evenpoel, Vauquelin and Onley \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Sprinter Biniam Girmay (Intermarch\u00e9-Wanty) is undertaking today\u2019s 10.9km ITT. Coquard has started now. Here\u2019s a bit more information on his injury, per the Tour race centre:<\/p>\n Examinations carried after yesterday\u2019s stage showed that Bryan Coquard has a fracture of the first phalanx of the fourth finger on his right hand. The French sprinter survived en route to Hautacam and he\u2019s willing to start today but he already said he won\u2019t be there tomorrow as his injury affects his ability to safely navigate, especially on downhills. He says he will be operated at the beginning of the week. And then he will get married right after the Tour. Luckily, his wedding ring will be on his left hand, the one that didn\u2019t get injured.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my last bib on this Tour and I want to make the most of this climb\u201d, he said before the start. \u201cI can\u2019t brake with my right hand, so I can only use the front brake. I\u2019d be a public danger if I stayed. It\u2019s for the safety of others and for my own, as it\u2019s a fracture that hasn\u2019t displaced, but there\u2019s a risk of displacement.\u201d Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.12 EDT<\/p>\n Green jersey leader Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) finished the ITT in 29min 13secs. Lotto-Cap\u2019s Lennert Van Eetvelt is in the hot seat now with a leading time of 27mins 49secs. Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) could pip that soon, he\u2019s going pretty well on the course.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m hearing that Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) sustained an injury on his hand and will have surgery on it later today. Apparently though, he\u2019s still going to take part in today\u2019s ITT first.<\/p>\n Bryan Coquard receives medical attention after injuring his right hand in the feeding zone during stage 12. Photograph: Thibault Camus\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.20 EDT<\/p>\n On the topic of the bikes that the riders opt for on this stage, TNT Sports\u2019 Hannah Walker earlier spoke about the different types that riders are rumoured to be going for, from aero time trial bikes, adapted road bikes and hybrids.<\/p>\n Sean Kelly thinks that, for the majority, it will be \u201croad bike all the way. Adapted and lightweight\u201d.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.02 EDT<\/p>\n According to the ever updating graphic on the Tour de France<\/a> race centre, there were 26 riders out on the course the last time I counted. Romain Bardet out on the moto for TNT Sports, says he\u2019s heard that Plapp is going to go \u201cfull out\u201d today. He shares that Plapp is on an aero bike with a full disc. He also says that the riders have to face a headwind in the first part.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.00 EDT<\/p>\n The best time for today\u2019s individual time trial has been beaten a few times already. Right now, Belgian rider S\u00e9bastien Grignard (Lotto-Caps) is in the hotseat, with a time of 28mins 47secs. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is out on the course and Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) has recently set off.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.53 EDT<\/p>\n Matteo Vercher has crossed the line with a time of 30:01:67. He did a wheelie to the crowd\u2019s delight.<\/p>\n Also, you might have spotted that the preamble had some strange time gaps and GC rankings mentioned. This has been fixed now! Apologies. All I can say is that it was written before I\u2019d had a cup of tea and an almond croissant.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Riders to watch on today’s stage<\/p>\n According to the official Tour de France Instagram account, here are the riders to follow on today\u2019s stage:<\/p>\n 1.49pm CEST\/12.49pm BST \u2013 Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula)<\/p>\n 2.18pm CEST\/1.18pm BST \u2013 Ivan Romeo (Movistar)<\/p>\n 2.28pm CEST\/1.28pm BST \u2013 Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)<\/p>\n 3.22pm CEST\/2.22pm BST \u2013 Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n 4.47pm CEST\/3.47pm BST \u2013 Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n 4.49pm CEST3.49pm BST \u2013 Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2R La Mondiale)<\/p>\n 4.51pm CEST\/3.51pm BST \u2013 Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility)<\/p>\n 4.53pm CEST\/3.53pm BST \u2013 Primo\u017e Rogli\u010d (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/p>\n 4.55pm CEST\/3.55pm BST \u2013 Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL)<\/p>\n 4.57pm CEST\/3.57pm BST \u2013 K\u00e9vin Vauquelin (Ark\u00e9a-B&B Hotels)<\/p>\n 4.59pm CEST\/3.59pm BST \u2013 Florian Lipowitz (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)<\/p>\n 5.01pm CEST\/4.01pm BST \u2013 Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step)<\/p>\n 5.03pm CEST\/4.03pm BST \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)<\/p>\n 5.05pm CEST\/4.05pm BST \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar (UAE Team Emirates XRG)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Vercher has 1.6km to go. As first rider out, he\u2019ll set the marker for the others behind him to beat.<\/p>\n Matteo Vercher of TotalEnergies competes while fans cheer during stage 13. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesSimone Consonni of Lidl-Trek takes part in a 10.9km individual time trial stage from Loudenvielle to Peyragudes. Photograph: Dario Belingheri\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.47 EDT<\/p>\n There\u2019s also an official stage 13 briefing by Continental and French former professional cyclist, Fran\u00e7ois Lemarchand. He said:<\/p>\n So, it will be Friday, 18 July, stage 13, Loudenvielle to Peyragudes, a 10.9km individual time trial with a direct ascent. You\u2019ll need really, really good legs right from the start. Riders will have to warm up carefully and smartly to be in the rhythm right from the beginning.<\/p>\n The first part heads toward the base of the Peyresourde climb, about 4km in. That section is a series of gently rising false flats. Riders will probably know in those 4km whether they\u2019re having a good day or a bad one.<\/p>\n Then comes the base of the Peyresourde, a manageable climb. It\u2019s a pass where the gradients aren\u2019t too steep \u2013 but 2km from the finish, we\u2019ll leave the Peyresourde and head for the altiport. That section is really tough, especially the steep slopes at the finish, which are brutally steep on the final ramp to the top.<\/p>\n Riders will really need to manage themselves to approach this stage in the best possible condition. Yes, I think the riders who want to win the Tour de France will feel the pressure from the day before right up to the start line.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n This is what general director of the Tour de France<\/a>, Christian Prudhomme, had to say about stage 13:<\/p>\n The Peyragudes climb has developed quite a reputation, particularly the final few hundred metres that give access to the altiport, where the Tour favourites have been scattered as they make their very last effort up to the line. Always formidable, there won\u2019t be the slightest opportunity for any respite in this time trial up this steep ascent. The riders will have barely two kilometres to gain momentum before they\u2019re on to the climb of the Peyresourde.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Since Vercher started his ITT, nine riders have been set off, including Jordi Meeus (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Roel Van Sintmaartensdijk (Intermarch\u00e9-Wanty). There\u2019s a good crowd of spectators cheering and encouraging the riders on.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.20 EDT<\/p>\n Here is the stage route and profile of stage 13:<\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Mountain individual time trial starts with Matt\u00e9o Vercher<\/p>\n The first rider, Matt\u00e9o Vercher (TotalEnergies), has rolled down the ramp in Loudenvielle to kick of today\u2019s time trial stage. On TNT Sports, they\u2019re excited about the \u201cfirst true mountain time trial in 21 years\u201d.<\/p>\n TotalEnergies’ Matteo Vercher takes part in stage 13\u2019s individual time trial while spectators cheer him on. Photograph: Marco Bertorello\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.44 EDT<\/p>\n Stage 13: Loudenvielle to Peyragudes individual time trial, 11km<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at today\u2019s stage, Friday 18 July: Loudenvielle to Peyragudes individual time trial, 11km, with William Fotheringham<\/a>\u2019s preview:<\/p>\n Three kilometres of flat, eight straight uphill against the watch, culminating in a final kilometre at 16%. This is a day for the GC men, with absolutely no hiding or bluffing. Whoever wins here will have a very good chance of winning overall in Paris, so it\u2019s a day for Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard to show exactly what they\u2019ve got in the tank. For everyone else, it\u2019s damage limitation.<\/p>\n
This will be the second time in eight appearances that Coquard leaves the Tour before the end, after his withdrawal in 2021.<\/p>\n