Key events<\/p>\n
65km to go Vinokurov makes another break for freedom. In the front pack one of the riders has radioed to say no-one in the group wants to work with Pidcock.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.52 EDT<\/p>\n 68km to go I can tell you, thanks to the commentators, that this region of France is very famous for its plums. A juicy one for Tom Pidcock who in the virtual GC standings has moved up to fourth \u2013 though he is very unlikely to be there at the end of this race. The front group still have a 2 mins 28 gap.<\/p>\n Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team’s British rider Tom Pidcock (2nd R) cycles in a breakaway. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.51 EDT<\/p>\n 70km to go A morning interview with Evenpoel, who we learn had one big spoon of Nutella for breakfast. It\u2019s currently powering him along in the peloton, who trail the leading pack by 2 mins 50.<\/p>\n On they go, past a chalked Appuie Bon Dieu across the road. The sun is out, the energy high<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 78 km to go The break has a 2 mins 2o buffer as I type. They have, I think, just entered the beautiful departement of Haute-Savoire.<\/p>\n \u201cAfternoon Tanya,\u201d lovely to hear from you James, (travelling back from Norwich.)<\/p>\n \u201dInteresting to see the usual suspects (Pidcock, Healy et al.) in the breakaway again today. Whilst their bravery is to be commended, I can\u2019t help but feel that these repeated efforts are somewhat futile when facing the sheer artillery of Team UAE. They\u2019re like a two-wheeled \u2018Light Brigade\u2019, charging into Pogacar and UAE\u2019s valley of Death.\u201d<\/p>\n Half a league onward \u2013 I love the fearlessness of it, despite the inevitability of UAE. It must take some mentality to do that. <\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 81km to go Romain Bardet thinks that the breakaway \u201cis a tactical move from most of the GC teams. [The final climb] is one of the most brutal climbs on the TDF. To have a teammate in the front group will be a massive advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n Visma and UAE are at the front of the peloton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 87km to go The wide beautiful waters of the Rhone accompany the breakaway, which now has one minute 40 on the peloton. A 4km 3 per cent gradient climb on the way. And things are relatively gentle until the Col de la Croisette rises in about 40km.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 91km to go The break suddenly has a minute and rising on the peloton<\/p>\n Tobias Johannessen, who was riding his brother\u2019s bike after an earlier puncture, gets his own bike back<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 98km to go Vinokurov has been caught by a group including Healy, Paret-Peintre, Pidcock, Bernal, Rubio and some satellite riders for the big teams. They are now 15 seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 101km to go Nico Vinokurov, the Kazakhstan national champion, has made a lone break, and he\u2019s putting his foot down. He\u2019s 10 seconds ahead of the pack.<\/p>\n Nicolas Vinokurov before his breakaway. Photograph: Tim de Waele\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a009.30 EDT<\/p>\n 105km to go Well played EF education! They\u2019ve wheeled in the breakaway for their man Carapaz. Meanwhile, Jan Tratnik gets a new bike.<\/p>\n Solid Pogacar love from Nick Wayne. \u201cFirst the endless GOAT superlatives then the booing. C\u2019mon people, make your mind up. IMHO he\u2019s an amazing and admirable cyclist. Loved or not, he races clean and that\u2019s the bottom line.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 109km to go There aren\u2019t too many spectators at this stage, odd handfuls of people who look as if they\u2019ve pottered out from their front door five minutes before the train screams past. The group at the front still have 20 seconds on the chasing pack, with EF education working hard to join in.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 119 km to go \u201cWe need Carapaz in the breakaway today for KOM points,\u2019\u201d says the EF team radio. And the pink shirts lead the peloton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 124 km to go Two becomes ten. Oliveira, Matthews, Schmid, A. Johannessen, Skaarseth, Van Dijke, Garcia Pierna and Izagirre have joined Arensman and Azparren up at the front. They\u2019ve got nine seconds on the peloton.<\/p>\n Philip Terry has been wrapping his head around Sunday afternoon speculation. \u201cWhat if\u2026Pogi wins today and puts more time between himself and Jonas then turns superdomestique to ensure second place for Del Toro? Well, it\u2019s a hot lazy afternoon in France and time for an after lunch ponder!\u201d<\/p>\n The riders in action during the 15th stage. Photograph: Guillaume Horcajuelo\/EPAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.42 EDT<\/p>\n 132km to go Arensman and Azparren hold onto their pocket lead. Time for a little rest and some freewheeling with fields stretching out on either side.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 139km to go Seixas le GOAT reads a banner. On the Decathalon radio, he says he feels \u201csuper good.\u201d The peloton are strung out in one long snake now, with 30k of descent, and undulating uphills, ahead. Arensman and Azparren still have ten seconds on the pack.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.32 EDT<\/p>\n 142km to go Arensman and Azparren have the most successful break attempt of the day so far, currently 14 seconds ahead of the peloton. They\u2019re currently passing a ski-jump to the right on a road lined by pines.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 147km to go Paret-Peintre, wearing the polka-dot jersey hits the front in search of KOM points, but Carapaz is on his wheel. They battle but Paret-Peintre finds some extra zip to cross first and capture two points, Carapaz must be content with one. Seixas is back with the peloton, and he pats his teammate on the back to say thank you for the help.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 149km to go Shuffle, shuffle. Carapaz is caught, Seixas works to rejoin the peloton and Azparren has a shimmy up front.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 150km to go Seixas pulls over to the side of the road and gets a rapid rear wheel change.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 151km to go The vibrant riding and sherbert pink jersey of Carapaz accelerates to chiming cow bells and soon has a six second lead on the peloton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 152km to go Break hoovered up. Lots of jostling for position.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 153km to go The ascent has started, and there\u2019s a break of sorts, \u2013 Mohoric, Alaphilippe, Delbove, Turgis and Degenkolb have a seven second lead over the peloton.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 160 km to go At 96km an hour, the peloton zips down to to the bottom of the Cote des Rousses, a category three climb of 6.7km at 5.2 per cent.<\/p>\n Another email drops, hello David Sheidlower! \u201cJust speculation from a data geek: we know that previous dominant riders when the field was this strong relied on technical and tactical improvements that were not widely used yet. For Pogacar and Del Toro (the young Mexican is having such a good tour- it\u2019s great to see him) perhaps the team has come up with a new algorithm that lets them make adjustments by the rider during the race based on the power meter readings they see on the handlebars.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a rider as strong as Pogacar finding that extra power to solo up mountains is clearly making a difference and since it is his own power either way, it is totally legit if he is doing better math than his rivals.\u201d<\/p>\n Pogacar rides with the pack. Photograph: Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.21 EDT<\/p>\n 162km to go An attack forms, burns briefly, but is caught. There are a few mechanicals off the back of the peloton, including Del Toro.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Philipsen wins the intermediate sprint<\/p>\n 165km to go Off they go \u2013 bustling and motoring. Philipsen crosses first, Pedersen second and Kanter third.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 168km to go Nothing much to report. A waiting game, with 1.3km to go till the sprint.<\/p>\n And hello Gwyn Williams. \u201cAs the pros get underway in the Jura, spare a thought for the more than 17,000 amateur riders from around the world tackling this year\u2019s l\u2019Etape de Tour de France<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cRiders have been out since early this morning, riding the exact same route that will be Stage 20 of the Tour in just a few days – Le Bourg d\u2019Oisan to Alpe d\u2019Huez. While a few will post times not all that far off what the pros will do, the vast majority of the riders are doing it just for the sake of the accomplishment. Many are using the race to raise money for charities, others just for the love of the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cSome will struggle to meet the time cutoffs on the road, but finish the whole route or not, everyone taking part should be very proud of themselves for even attempting 170 km with 5400 m of elevation gain and some of the most iconic Tour climbs. I know I\u2019m certainly very proud of my son (Jack Kreisler) who is currently about two-thirds of the way through the Etape.\u201d<\/p>\n Thank you Gwyn. Best of luck to Jack and everyone else out on the winding roads. I am full of admiration and awe. My cycling holidays go only as far as a few days toddling past sunflowers in the Loire valley.<\/p>\n The pack rides during the fifteenth stage. Photograph: Mosa\u2019ab Elshamy\/APShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.20 EDT<\/p>\n 173km to go Lidl-Trek\u2019s Toms Skujins makes a little break for freedom before Alpecin gobble up the gap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 174km to go Eight km to go until the sprint, with the white socks and boots of Alpecin still leading, three in a line, followed by Mads Pedersen and Lidl-Trek, controlling the peloton until the sprint.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n 178 km to go The gorgeous greens of the trees, burnt yellow of the fields, colour the scenery as the pelaton makes steady progress upwards, bobbing helmets and shifting shoulder blades.<\/p>\n Spectators watch the race in Champagnole. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.19 EDT<\/p>\n 182km to go The royal blue jerseys of Alpecin dominate the front of the peloton at this tentative stage, with early eyes on the intermediate sprint, just over 17km into the race.<\/p>\n A stat, courtesy of TNT: Paul Seixas is the youngest rider ever to wear a leader\u2019s jersey at the TdF.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Kilometre zero<\/p>\n No rain today as the race director gives the flag a vigorous wave, and they\u2019re off! The Alps await.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re just a km before the flag drop. Nice and easy at the moment, swarming like lazy summer bees.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A quick word from Tadej Pogacar: \u201cI got four hours of sleep today, couldn\u2019t fall back to sleep [after doping], so have been chilling, listening to old Eminem hits and drinking coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n And hello to Ger Nugent, whose email is the first to thump on the Guardian doormat. <\/p>\n \u201cI realise there\u2019s some disappointment (to be kind) regarding Pogacar\u2019s dominance, but I for one am always really intrigued by his, and the team\u2019s, tactics.<\/p>\n \u201cNo boos coming from me that\u2019s a certainty. The sheer athleticism of the man is incredible and should, in my humble opinion, be shown the respect he justly deserves.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The peloton will pedal away from Champagnole in about five minutes, with kilometre zero at 12.20.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.07 EDT<\/p>\n Doping control have been visiting in the night \u2013 Pogacar at 5am and Vingegaard at 2am \u2013 he isn\u2019t impressed.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re watching at home, in France, or anywhere else, do email in with your thoughts on the Tour so far. I\u2019d love hear from you.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s just one minute 20 seconds between second-placed Vingegaard and seventh-placed Del Toro. But disappearing into the distance is Pogacar.<\/p>\n Adam Blythe: \u201cHe\u2019s not unbeatable but \u2013 it\u2019s easier to find weaknesses in his team than in him.<\/p>\n Robbie McEwen: \u201cI\u2019ve run out of words of advice, we thought [the team] might be slightly depleted but they popped up again yesterday, they\u2019ve got a stranglehold on the race, and it becomes a mental thing for the others.\u201d<\/p>\n Matt Stephens:\u201dWe haven\u2019t seen any sharp attacks from Jonus so far, what he lacks is that real punch. His favourite terrain is to come.\u201d<\/p>\n Tadej Pogacar strikes a pose before stage 15. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.06 EDT<\/p>\n Jeremy Whittle’s report<\/p>\n Recap yesterday\u2019s fascinating stage in the Voges.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>White jersey standings<\/p>\n 1. Paul Seixas (FRA) Decathlon CMA CGM Team 51:23:47<\/p>\n 2. Juan Ayuso (ESP) Lidl – Trek +3<\/p>\n 3. Isaac Del Toro (MEX) UAE Team Emirates – XRG +31<\/p>\n 4. Lenny Martinez (FRA) Bahrain Victorious +3:06<\/p>\n 5. Davide Piganzoli (ITA) Team Visma – Lease \u200ca Bike +13:56<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Points standings<\/p>\n 1. Mads Pedersen (DEN) Lidl – Trek 397<\/p>\n 2. Jasper Philipsen (BEL) Alpecin – Premier Tech 361<\/p>\n 3. Biniam Girmay (ERI) NSN Cycling<\/a> Team 347<\/p>\n 4. Tim Merlier (BEL) Soudal Quick-Step 307<\/p>\n 5. Max Kanter (GER) XDS Astana Team 255<\/p>\n 6. Olav Kooij (NED) Decathlon CMA CGM Team 210<\/p>\n 7. S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold (NOR) Uno-X Mobility 159<\/p>\n 8. Anthony Turgis (FRA) TotalEnergies 129<\/p>\n 9. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates – XRG 127<\/p>\n 10. Milan Fretin (BEL) Cofidis 117<\/p>\n Share<\/a>King of the Mountain standings<\/p>\n Paret_Peintre briefly held the virtual red-spotted jersey yesterday, before Pogacar\u2019s final assault.<\/p>\n 1 T. PogacarUAE Team Emirates – XRG<\/a> 52<\/p>\n 2 V. Paret-PeintreSoudal Quick-Step<\/a> 43<\/p>\n 3 R. CarapazEF Education – EasyPost<\/a> 38<\/p>\n 4 J. VingegaardTeam Visma-Lease a Bike<\/a> 35<\/p>\n 5 P. SeixasDecathlon CMA CGM Team<\/a> 24<\/p>\n 6 T. PidcockPinarello – Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team<\/a> 18<\/p>\n 7 I. Del ToroUAE Team Emirates – XRG<\/a> 18<\/p>\n 8 N. ProdhommeDecathlon CMA CGM Team<\/a> 17<\/p>\n 9 A. BaudinEF Education – EasyPost<\/a> 16<\/p>\n 10 L. MartinezBahrain Victorious<\/a> 16<\/p>\n Share<\/a>GC standings<\/p>\n Yellow jersey standings.<\/p>\n 1 T. PogacarUAE Team Emirates – XRG<\/a> 51:18:28<\/p>\n 2 J. VingegaardTeam Visma-Lease a Bike<\/a> +4:30<\/p>\n 3 R. EvenepoelRed Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe<\/a> +5:04<\/p>\n 4 P. SeixasDecathlon CMA CGM Team<\/a> +5:19<\/p>\n 5 J. AyusoLidl Trek<\/a> +5:22<\/p>\n 6 F. LipowitzRed Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe<\/a> +5:44<\/p>\n 7 I. Del ToroUAE Team Emirates – XRG<\/a> +5:50<\/p>\n 8 M. SkjelmoseLidl Trek<\/a> +7:35<\/p>\n 9 T. PidcockPinarello – Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team<\/a> +7:59<\/p>\n 10 L. MartinezBahrain Victorious<\/a> +8:25<\/p>\n Share<\/a>William Fotheringham’s stage guideStage 15, Sunday 19 July: Champagnole to Plateau de Solaison, 183.9km<\/p>\n South east through the Jura flirting with the Swiss border for much of the stage and two horribly steep climbs in the final quarter: the first category Col de la Croisette is five kilometres at an average of 11% and the super-category finish ascent is 11km at 9%. This is a mountain stage where the break may stay away, as the overall contenders are unlikely to get moving until the Croisette, 131km into the stage. A pure climber who is not in contention overall should win: why not last year\u2019s Mont Ventoux winner Valentin Paret-Peintre?<\/p>\n