Key Events: Showcasing the Exciting Moments
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34km Remaining: Matteo Trentin (UAE Emirates) wraps up his work for the day and falls behind the yellow jersey group. As he gets overtaken by a Tour motorbike, he graciously acknowledges the TV viewers with a salute.
35km Remaining: Jai Hindley’s fifth place on the GC is under threat, causing Bora-Hansgrohe rider Nils Politt to take charge at the front of the yellow jersey group. The team is getting anxious. Simon Yates, Pello Bilbao, D**** G****, and Felix Gall all hold top 10 positions, with Jai Hindlay trailing behind. Guillaume Martin, who sits 11th on the GC, is also in the lead pack.
44km Remaining: The terrain eases out a bit, with 16 kilometers to go until the official start of the final climb. Marc Soler leads the group at the front, while a few strugglers fall behind. Egan Bernal has lost over two minutes since crashing and is trailing the yellow jersey group.
45km Remaining: Ben Bull questions the placement of a banner marking the top of a climb below the actual summit, deeming it cruel. He recalls his experience on Canada’s Cabot Trail, encountering multiple false summits that left him physically and emotionally drained. Reaching a summit only to witness another one ahead is a disheartening feeling.
49km Remaining: Bernal’s gap from the yellow jersey group widens to over 90 seconds after his fall. He cautiously descends, considering the narrow, tight, and twisty road with low concrete walls on some corners.
52km Remaining: Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers) loses control of his front wheel at the first corner and falls. Fortunately, he quickly regains his composure and continues riding.
54km Remaining: The lead group begins their descent, a long and steep one featuring more than 20 hairpin bends.
55km Remaining: Exciting news! David Gaudu is with the lead group, as confirmed by Thibaut Pinot who escorted him there. However, let’s not mention Gaudu again unless he becomes a contender at the end of the stage. The riders are still ascending, having passed the banner marking the top of the third climb. Ineos Grenadiers takes the lead of the yellow jersey group.
60km Remaining: Bruno Rabl creatively remarks, “Gaudu moves in mysterious ways.” Giulio Ciccone dons his polka-dot gear and effortlessly secures maximum points for the third time in a row as he triumphs over the summit of the third climb. However, if Jonas Vingegaard is the first to conquer the final climb and Ciccone fails to earn more points today, Vingegaard has a chance to swipe the jersey. With more climbs left on the Tour, Ciccone still has opportunities to reclaim it.
63km Remaining: Julian Alaphilippe falls behind halfway up the Côte de Longefoy, leaving the leading group to establish a three-minute lead over the yellow jersey group.
Your leaders include Jack Haig (Bahrain Victorious), Giulio Ciccone, and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek), Ben O’Connor (Ag2r-Citröen), Kevin Vermaerke (DSM-Firmenich), Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar), Krists Neilands (Israel-PremierTech), Chris Harper (Jayco-AlUla), Stefan Kung, Valentin Madouas, and Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ), Magnus Cort and Rigoberto Uran (EF Education-EasyPost), Dries Devenyns (Soudal-Quick Step), Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious), Felix Gall (Ag2r), and Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla).
Interestingly, there is still debate surrounding David Gaudu’s presence in this group. However, current evidence suggests that he is indeed there, supported by the Tour’s rider tracking technology.
69km Remaining: The leaders approach the foot of the penultimate climb, a relatively small hill compared to the daunting challenge that awaits them. The category two Côte de Longefoy stands at 1,174m high and spans 6.7 kilometers with an average gradient of 7.5%. Piece of cake!
Schrödinger’s Gaudu: Chris Taine humorously notes David Gaudu’s elusive presence in the Tour. He seems to be in a group until you actively search for him, at which point he mysteriously disappears. It’s an ongoing joke as Gaudu’s whereabouts remain a mystery.
We all, in our own way, anticipate Gaudu’s appearance.
Updated at 14.20 BST
72km Remaining: Michael Forbes highlights Jonas Vingegaard’s extraordinary downhill performance from the previous day. He emphasizes that cycling involves not only climbing but also descending. Forbes marvels at Vingegaard’s ability to navigate treacherous corners without mishap.
76km Remaining: The leading group of 33 riders holds a 2min 10sec advantage over the yellow jersey group, consisting of 35 riders. Another group of approximately 20 riders separates them from the green jersey group, which trails the leaders by nine minutes.
82km Remaining: On Twitter, Paul Kimmage shares an interesting L’Equipe headline featuring a picture of Vingegaard accompanied by the phrase “D’une Autre Planete” (From Another Planet). The same headline was previously used in relation to Lance Armstrong. Kimmage expresses doubts about Armstrong’s past performances and believes it is fair to question current exceptional performances as well.
A reader’s email prompts an insightful discussion about Vingegaard and Pogacar. The reader praises both riders but expresses disappointment in some of Pogacar’s fans who question Vingegaard’s authenticity. The reader finds it intriguing that Vingegaard is a Liverpool fan and seeks an explanation for this interest. The email serves as a reminder that although Vingegaard is a phenomenal rider, valid questions arise due to cycling’s questionable past.
It is acknowledged that there is no evidence suggesting Vingegaard’s involvement in doping, and until such evidence surfaces, he should be assumed innocent. Nonetheless, different opinions exist.
Updated at 13.58 BST
King of the Mountains Race: Giulio Ciccone leads with 83 points, followed by Neilson Powless with 58 points. Jonas Vingegaard trails one point behind Powless in third place.
If Ciccone fails to score any points on today’s final climb and Vingegaard reaches the summit of the Col de la Loze first, Vingegaard will assume the lead in the King of the Mountains standings. Ciccone would continue wearing the polka-dot jersey on Vingegaard’s behalf. Giulio Ciccone takes charge as he ascends another slope. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
Updated at 14.22 BST
97km Remaining: Giulio Ciccone claims first place on the Cormet de Roselend, followed by his teammate Mattias Skjelmose. David Gaudu is not present in the lead group.
102km Remaining: The lead group comprises three riders from the top 10 on the GC, with Pello Bilbao (seventh), Simon Yates (eighth), and Felix Gall (tenth). David Gaudu’s whereabouts remain unknown, as he doesn’t appear in any of the first three groups. Considering Gaudu’s capabilities, it’s likely he is among the leaders, making it four of the top 10 riders.
105km Remaining: …
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