Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) wins stage 13
Stage 14 serves up three category 1 climbs before it finishes atop the HC climb, Col de Joux Plane. At an average gradient of 8.5% for 11 kilometers, Col de Joux Plane is the most likely place where the GC contenders will attack each other. From kilometer six to eleven, the gradient is 9.7%, 9.2%, 9.3%, 10.5%, 9.1% and GC contenders and climbers will need to attack early in these last kilometers to gain enough time in the 12km descent that follows.
Stage 14 Favorites
Tadej Pogačar, Jonas Vingegaard, Jai Hindley, Felix Gall, Giulio Ciccone
Stage 14 Profile
Tour Talk
“I consider that this victory [stage 13] is to be ranked very high. Maybe because this one is completely unexpected. Sometimes I wondered what I was doing in this breakaway.” – Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers).
“Even without the win it was a successful day for us, we take a few seconds back. The Tour is still long, but this is a good situation for us. We keep looking for opportunities like this to gain time. This was a strong team performance.” – Tadej Pogačar (UAE).
“I’m not frustrated or disappointed at all. I think a stage like this [stage 13] doesn’t suit me well. I am actually glad that I was able to keep the difference so small.” – Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma).
“We know that Pogacar is explosive and super strong on this kind of finish [stage 13]. We had to limit the damage as much as possible. Jonas did well.” – Dylan Van Baarle (Jumbo-Visma).
“It’s the biggest weekend of the Tour that awaits us. But I feel the team [UAE] so strong in the mountains that, to be honest, I can’t wait to be there. – Felix Grossschartner (UAE).
“Pogačar is pretty explosive on a finish like that [stage 13], so when he attacked, I also did my own effort full gas to the finish. I was running out of gas at the end there, the legs were not turning anymore, it was pretty hard.” – Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe).
“A successful day [stage 13] for Pogacar. But I had expected an attack on a steep part about 6 kilometers from the finish.” – Serge Pauwels, ex-pro.
“There isn’t much positive to say about it. I think in the Tour you have to try to get through every day. Especially after I rode 160 km with him [Caleb Ewan] yesterday. I’m disappointed. There’s always a chance, but now it’s gone. That is a real shame.” – Jasper De Buyst (Lotto Dstny) on teammate Caleb Ewan quitting during stage 13.
General Classification
- Jonas Vingegaard (DEN, Jumbo-Visma) 46h 34’27”
- Tadej Pogacar (SLO, UAE Team Emirates) +9″
- Jai Hindley (AUS, Bora-Hansgrohe) +2:51″
- Carlos Rodriguez Cano (ESP, Ineos Grenadiers) +4:22″
- Adam Yates (GBR, UAE Team Emirates) +5:03″
- Simon Yates (GBR, Team Jayco AlUla) +5:04″
- Pello Bilbao (ESP, Bahrain – Victorious +5:25″
- Tom Pidcock (GBR, INEOS Grenadiers) +5:35″
- David Gaudu (FRA, Groupama) +6:52″
- Sepp Kuss (USA, Jumbo-Visma) +7:11″
