2017 Tour de France: Roglič overcomes the Galibier, Stage 18 – showdown on the Izoard?

 Primoz Roglič wins in Serre Chevalier

 Overall Chris Froome still in Yellow, Fabio Aru loses time 

 Green: Michael Matthews leads 

following Marcel Kittel's retirement

Climber: Warren Barguil still leads 

but advantage has been trimmed a little 

Young rider: Simon Yates still leads  
but Louis Meintjes is now closer at 2.28'

Primoz Roglič soloed to a very fine first Tour de France stage victory – first over the Galibier and the long 28 kilometre descent into Serre Chevalier. This first Alpine stage revised the Overall Standings slightly with Fabio Aru losing time at the top of the Galibier and then more on the descent. Aru was at 18 seconds to Chris Froome but now is down to 4th place at 53 seconds. Rigoberto Uran and Romain Bardet are now Froome's closest challengers tied on 27 seconds.

Only Dan Martin and Bardet attacked Froome on the Galibier but each time these attacks were easily neutralised. At the very top of the Galibier Martin was also dropped and is now at 2.37, while Simon Yates also lost time down to 4.07. He still leads the Young Rider Competition but his advantage to Louis Meintjes has now been reduced. Despite crashing Warren Barguil rode another fine race and still has a comfortable lead in the Climbers' competition. 

Alberto Contador tried one of his typical daring long range attacks that nearly came off – it certainly enlivened the race. Initially he had Nairo Quintana for company but to Contador's surprise Quintana couldn't sustain the effort. Quintana is now at 12th place 12.54 down, which is easily his worst Tour de France result.    

Unfortunately Marcel Kittel was involved in a crash early on in the stage and, although he rode on, had to abandon the race soon after. This is a great shame for Kittel but also deprives us of an exciting finale to the Green Jersey competition. Providing Michael Matthews reaches Paris he will surely now win the Jersey. Before Kittel abandoned Matthews had already closed the gap to just nine points. Matthews now leads André Griepel by 160 points. 

Stage 18: Briançon to Izoard 179.5 kms

Today is the last chance for the overall contenders to challenge Chris Froome in the mountains. Froome is expected to perform better in Saturday's time trial in Marseille than Bardet and Aru. The uphill finish, only the third in this Tour, gives someone the chance to grab the Yellow Jersey. Realistically, unless Froome blows up, only Uran and Bardet are likely to be able to do this. However, Sky remain the dominant team, especially with Mikel Landa climbing so well and Froome didn't show weakness yesterday. Should be a gripping climb up the mighty Izoard! 

2017 Tour de France: Bauke Mollema's solo win + Froome's scare

Bauke Mollema's brave and deserved stage win at Le Puy

Chris Froome still in Yellow despite scare

 Mountain jersey: Warren Barguil 

leads by a comfortable 78 points

Green: Michael Matthews has closed 

the gap on Marcel Kittel to 79 points

The difficult Stage 15 to Le Puy was won by Bauke Mollema, who bravely soloed away from his breakaway companions with 29 kilometres to go. He managed to win with a gap of 19 seconds to chalk up his first Tour de France stage win. 

Apart from Nairo Quintana blowing up on the second 1st Category Col de Peyra Taillade and losing some four minutes and dropping out of the Top 10 overall, there were no significant changes to the overall classification. However, there might well have been as Chris Froome had a mechanical problem just at the start of the Col de Peyra and had to make up 50 seconds to get back onto the peloton of flying leaders. Fortunately he had enough team mates around to make this possible. 

Dan Martin gained 14 seconds by riding away in the last few kilometres – he now sits 1.12 back from Froome. Fabio Aru at 18", Romain Bardet at 23" and Rigoberto Uran at 29". 

Warren Barguil has a very firm grasp of the Climbers' Jersey, while Marcel Kittel should hold onto Green as there are still some sprinters' stages left, although Michael Matthews has reduced the deficit considerably since Pau.

Today is the second and last rest day. Wednesday and Thursday in the Alps will be the crucial stages along with Saturday's Time Trial in Marseille. At this stage this is the closest Tour de France ever. Promises to be a gripping finale!      

 

2017 Tour de France: Matthews wins in Rodez, Froome grabs Yellow. Stage 15 preview

 Michael Matthews wins Stage 14, Chris Froome 

one second behind retakes Yellow

 Overall: Chris Froome back in Yellow

Green Jersey: Matthews reduce 

deficit to Kittel to 99 points 

Michael Matthews won his second Tour de France stage with a finely judged sprint beating Greg van Avermaet and Philippe Gilbert, who started his sprint too early and faded a bit at the end. This win has allowed Matthews to close the Green Jersey Points deficit on Marcel Kittel to 99 points. 

In yesterday's preview I suggested that the steep uphill finish, the 570 metres at 9.6% Col de Saint-Pierre, could well see some overall contenders gain a few seconds. Like Chris Froome I never expected Fabio Aru to come in 25 seconds behind Matthews and 24 behind Froome – all because of lousy tactics by Aru and Astana and impeccable ones by Sky.   

The last 10 kilometres into Rodez were very fast and technical with lots of roundabouts, especially as the Col de Saint-Pierre approached. It was noticeable that Sky rode together not far off the front for most of the stage and in front of Astana. In the last 13 kilometres or so they came to the front and guided Froome all the way to the base of the climb. In contrast Aru was isolated on the fast descent into Rodez, which hit 85 kph in places. I kept checking for Aru's position during the descent and saw he was well back, so thought he was likely to lose some time of the col – a finish reminiscent of an Ardennes classic. Even so I was surprised he came in 24 seconds after Froome, who did a great ride to come in just a second behind Matthews. Dan Martin and Rigoberto Uran also did great rides finishing on the same time as Froome. Of course Martin always does well in the Ardennes classics. Romain Bardet lost four seconds on Froome, while Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador lost over 20 seconds each. 

Although the time gaps are still small I reckon it will be very tough to pull the jersey off Froome's shoulders but today's stage is a chance.   

Stage 15: Laissac-Severac L'Eglise to Le Puy-en-Velay 189.5 kms

Still lumpy until final three kms

This is a tough stage through the Massif Central, which could well see further changes to the Overall Classification as well as perhaps being a rare opportunity for a breakaway to win the stage.  The stage includes the steep Col de Peyra Taillade, which has never been included in the Tour before and hits 14%.

Will Aru recover enough to challenge Froome and  can he continue to challenge if the Astana team can't get themselves sorted? What about the other contenders. 

If they race hard today we could see a great stage and fireworks. Can Michael Matthews get over the first category climb – Montée de Naves d'Aubrac – well ahead of Kittel and pick up some more valuable Green jersey points? This climb comes very early – around the 17 km mark – 8.9 kms at just under 7%. Could be crucial!

2017 Tour de France: Warren Barguil wins on Bastille Day. Stage 14 preview

French ecstasy as Warren Barguil wins in Foix  

Fabio Aru still in Yellow but changes in Top 10

with Landa, Quintana and Contador all moving up

Mountains classification: Warren Barguil 
leads with 61 point advantage

As predicted yesterday's short mountain stage (101 kms) gave us very exciting racing. Warren Barguil made the French very happy with his stage win in Foix on Bstille Day, the French national holiday that celebrates the start of the French Revolution. This is the first time in 12 years that there has been a French winner. David Moncoutié was the last Frenchman to win on Bastille Day back in 2005.  
 

The day was notable for the return to form for both Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana. The stage's excitement was generated by an early attack by Alberto Contador, who was swiftly followed by Sky's Mikel Landa. They were eventually joined by Quintana and Warren Barguil. At the end Barguil won the sprint for the line. 

Although there were some attacks Fabio Aru kept the Yellow Jersey despite having to ride without support from his depleted team – down to seven riders. Although isolated the other teams have get to put Aru under serious pressure. Sky will need to do this during the remaining stages.

Astana were further weakened by Jakob Fulsang having to retire because of small fractures in his hand and elbow making it painful to ride and difficult to control his bike. It was, however, a very brave effort by Fulsang, winner of the Dauphiné to attempt to ride on. 

Stage 14 Preview: Blagnac to Rodez 181.5 kms

This is the first of two stages featuring the Massif Central, which ought to provide some interesting racing and perhaps some changes to the overall classification. The first 80 kilometres are fairly flat, while the last 100 are quite lumpy, mainly uphill with a couple of Cat 3 climbs. The finish in Rodez is a 570 metre uphill with a average of 9.6%. A chance for an overall contender to gain a few seconds in the sprint for the line. I think Sky ought to be trying to put pressure on Aru over the next two days. Tomorrow's stage to Le Puy is the more challenging. 

The Intermediate Sprint is at 55 kms, so expect Marcel Kittel to shadow Michael Matthews, who may also feature in the steep finish, which is likely to be too much for Kittel.  

The forecast is dry and comfortably warm but the wind is quite strong for part of the middle section of the stage, so splits in the peloton could happen.       

Romain Bardet wins Stage 3

Fabio Aru in Yellow over as Chris Froome 

blows up right at the finish 

Stage 13: St Girons to Foix 101 kms

Today's 13th stage is just 103 kilometres in length and promises to be very exciting as short stages frequently are. Will Aru keep the jersey or will Bardet take it or can Froome receover and reassert himself?

Apologies for short post but flew back on QueasyJet this morning from Lisbon. 

2017 Tour de France: Kittel wins again in Pau, Stage 12 preview – showdown in Pyrénées?

 Marcel Kittel takes his 5th 2017 stage win 

 No change overall – Chris Froome still in Yellow

Green Jersey: Marcel Kittel consolidates lead – 

133 points ahead of Michael Matthews

If yesterday's flat stage again panned out largely as expected with a small break of three riders going away from the off and Marcel Kittel winning the sprint, the finish was made much more exciting than the previous flat stage due to the very brave and impressive ride by Macief Bodnar, who was only swept up by the sprinters with 200 metres to go before the line. 

Kittel again won comfortably – at present there is no-one to touch him.

Stage 12: Pau to Peyragudes 214.5 kms

You can be confident that this won't be Kittel's third successive stage win. Instead this long stage (214.5 kms) in the Pyrénées may give Fabio Aru, Romain Bardet and Rigoberto Uran to put some pressure on Chris Froome. Alternatively it might be an opportunity for Froome to distance his rivals a little more. Apart from the last short ramp up to Peyragudes, these climbs are not as steep as those that featured on Sunday's stage. However, the distance may well take its toll on some riders, especially those who like Bardet, Jakob Fulsang and Contador, who crashed during yesterday's stage. Unfortunately Fulsang has a couple of fractures in his hand.

I expect that unlike the two previous stages when there was no enthusiasm to get in the break, there will be many looking to get away. It may be many kilometres before a break is established. It is 100 kms before the 2nd Cat Col des Ares is reached, which only has an average gradient of 4.6%. I can see Michael Matthews trying to get away again to pick up Intermediate Sprint points but this may well not be easy as the first part of this stage is not difficult.

The forecast is for showers later on in the stage, which could again make the descents dangerous. Hopefully there won't be any serious crashes. It will also be relatively cool. 

Update: raining in Pau at the start. Sunny at the finish for the moment.       

2017 Tour de France: after the rest day – Stage 10 preview

Stage 10: Périgueux to Bergerac: 178 kms

 

Last few kilometres: flat to the line 

Today the depleted peloton starts racing again after the first rest day with the first of two stages likely to finish in a sprint. The stage makes a twisting circuit through the Dordogne. 

I expect the usual pattern an early break that gets caught not long before the Bergerac with a sprint at the end. Marcel Kittlel must be favourite to add to his already stage wins. Can Michael Matthews continue to mount a challenge to Kittel for the Green Jersey? How much have the two tough mountain stages taken out of the sprinters?

Green Jersey standings: Kittel 212 points, Michael Matthews 160 points 

Yellow: Chris Froome leads with Fabio Aru 18 seconds behind 

It is unlikely that there will be any change to the Yellow Overall positions until the race reaches the Pyrénées on Thursday. There are now six stages until the second rest day. 

2017 Tour de France: Calmejane wins in Jura. Brutal Stage 9 preview

 Fine first TDF stage win for Lilian Calmejane 

Chris Froome still in Yellow – 

will he still be wearing it after Stage 9?

Yesterday the fine solo victory of 24-year-old Lilian Calmejean added further to the promise already shown by this young French rider. Not only was this his first TDF stage win but he took the climber's mountain polka dot jersey from Fabio Aru. Let's hope that the pressure of being a new hope for French cycling doesn't prove too much of a burden for him.  

Yesterday's stage was easily the most exciting of this year's Tour with the racing fast and furious from the off and it never really settled down. As I suggested yesterday not only was there big competition to get into the break but the sprinters' teams were also keen to contest the intermediate sprint, which was early on in the stage. 

The uncategorized climb out of Arbois found out some of the riders – notably Arnaud Démare and Luke Rowe, the team captain of Sky. 

Eventually a large group of riders got away around 80 kilometres into the stage but Sky managed to control this well. By the finish only Calmejean, who won despite a bout of cramp just five kilometres from the finish, and Robert Gesink were ahead of the still substantial peloton. None of the overall contenders made any serious attack, perhaps wanting to wait for today's very tough stage. 

Stage 9: Nantua to Chambéry 181.5 kms

 Today's ferocious profile with three HC climbs

 First two HC climbs 

 Mont du Chat

Today's stage with its three HC climbs is certainly very tough. Let's hope that the racing lives up to expectation. It could go either way: the contenders look at attack Sky and Chris Froome or it becomes a procession with contenders fearful to take the risk, especially as thundery showers are forecast for today.  

We could see big changes to the overall order tonight. Will Froome still be in Yellow or will it be Fabio Aru or Richie Porte or Dan Martin. How will Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador fare?

As this stage starts with an immediate climb up the Cat 2 Côte des Neyrolles and if I was one of Froome's rivals I would look to attack right from the start and hope to repeat what happened in Stage 15 of the 2016 Vuelta when Froome was isolated on a similar start.   

2017 Tour de France: Aru wins, Froome in Yellow. Stage 6 Preview

Stage 5 result: fine and convincing win by Fabio Aru

Overall standing: Chris Froome takes Yellow from Geriant Thomas

The first mountain stage was won in convincing fashion by Fabio Aru who attacked with some two kilometres to go.  Prior to this Team Sky had been setting a fast pace up the Planche des Belles Filles. After hesitating a while Chris Froome set off after Aru with Richie Porte, Dan Martin and Romain Bardet, while dropping Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Geraint Thomas.

After initially starting to catch Aru, the Froome quartet eased up and started looking at each other, while Aru motored on up. This allowed some of the dropped riders to close the gap on the quartet. 

Aru won the stage, his first TdF stage win by 16 seconds from Dan Martin who finished strongly with Froome next (20 seconds) and Porte at the same time. Other riders Bardet (24 secs), Simon Yates (26), Rigoberto Uran and Contador (26), Quintana (34) and Thomas (40). Froome now takes over the Yellow Jersey with Thomas in second place. It was clear in the ride up the Planche des Belles Filles that Froome was Sky's protected rider. Will Froome now wear Yellow all the way to Paris? 

Although dangerous to read too much into this first mountain stage, it does look like Fabio Aru, Dan Martin and Richie Porte are Chris Froome's biggest rivals with Aru just (14 seconds behind) and Martin on 25. There are now question marks over the form of Contador (52 seconds down) and Quintana (54 secs).

You have to question the tactics of Richie Porte and BMC yesterday who spent a large part of the 160 kilometres leading the peloton chase of the strong breakaway group using up a lot of energy. Although the time gap yo-yoed between about 2.50 and 1.30 it was back to about 2.40 as the final climb approached and other teams joined in. BMC wasted a lot of energy and Porte didn't make an attack on the climb. Although he finished with the same time as Froome it was Froome who got third place and the four bonus seconds. 

Stage 6 Preview: Vesoul to Troyes: 216 kms

This is going to be a long, hot, fairly flat stage with a couple of Category 4 climbs. I expect a break to go early only to be swallowed up close to the finish where the sprinters will fight it out. The finish is flat but with a roundabout around 120 metres from the line, which could make the sprint dangerous. Hopefully there won't be any big crashes. 

Favourites today: Marcel Kittel, Arnaud Démare, Michael Matthews and André Griepel. In addition to getting the stage win the sprinters will be up for the Green Jersey competition in the absence of Peter Sagan.