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July 21, 2014

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Kristoff wins but Nibali still ahead

Source: Agencies | July 21, 2014, Monday | Print Edition

ALEXANDER Kristoff gained his second victory of the Tour de France yesterday as he came home first on the 222-kilometer 15th stage from Tallard to Nimes.

The Norwegian powered through in a sprint finish to deny New Zealander Jack Bauer, who came within 100 meters of winning after a breakaway of more than 200km.

German Heinrich Haussler was second with Peter Sagan of Slovakia third.

While Katusha’s Kristoff was celebrating yesterday, it was cruel luck for tearful Bauer.

Alongside Swiss champion Martin Elmiger, the Kiwi had spent almost the entire race in an escape.

They took off from the start and within 25km already had a lead of more than eight minutes.

That eked out to almost nine minutes before the chase began.

It seemed to be all over when the gap came down to 3 minutes with still 60km to ride but the chase was disjointed.

With 8.5km left they still had 45 seconds and it seemed like they might hold on.

Into the final kilometer they had around 12 seconds and it looked touch and go.

The two riders kept collaborating right to the end and when they launched the sprint the peloton was right on their heels. Bauer had the stronger legs but agonizingly was caught in the last 100 meters and finished 10th, bursting into tears after crossing the line exhausted.

Race leader Vincenzo Nibali of Italy had a relatively calm day in the saddle, maintaining his 4:37 lead over Spain’s Alejandro Valverde with Romain Bardet still third at 4:50 in an unchanged top 10.

After two days in the Alps, yesterday’s stage offered some relief over the flat run from Tallard, southeast France’s parachuting capital, toward the city of Nimes ­— known for its Roman arena and bullfighting.

Riders take the second rest day today.

With nearly indomitable climbing skill, Nibali, the 29-year-old Astana team leader, has shown he’s the man to beat in the three-week race that ends on Paris’ Champs-Elysees on Sunday.

More grueling climbs loom in the Pyrenees this week before the only individual time trial this Tour ­— on Saturday.

 

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