Nat Bromhead
Mitchelton Scott’s Simon Yates enjoyed a second stage victory in four days as he rode solo across the Foix Prat d’Albis finish line after a tough mountain stage at le Tour last night.
Yates was the only breakaway member to fend off super-strong Thibaut Pinot and Mikel Landa who escaped from the group of the favourites. During the challenging finale race leader Julian Alaphilippe lost contact with defending champion Geraint Thomas but managed to retain the yellow jersey.
But with fellow Frenchman Thibaut Pinot showing more and more strength each day, a home country overall win remains a distinct possibility.
Yates resists to Pinot in final climb
Simon Yates and Simon Geschke were out in front together with 10km to go before Mikel Landa (Movistar) came across by himself after having been helped by Soler and Amador. 8.8km before the end, Yates rode away solo. Landa passed Geschke to become the first chaser. Pinot attacked from the yellow jersey group 7km from the Prat d’Albis.
The winner of the Tourmalet caught Landa 2km before the end while Alaphilippe couldn’t keep up with the speed of Geraint Thomas (Ineos) who had himself surrendered to Pinot before his team-mate Egan Bernal.
Yates maintained an advantage of 33’’ over Pinot and Landa while Alaphilippe fought hard to limit the losses. Now fourth overall with a deficit of 1’50’’, Pinot is back in certainly in contention for the final victory in Paris on Sunday.
TDF Top 3 After Stage 15
1. Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step)
2. Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos), at 1’35’’
3. Steven Kruijswijk (Team Jumbo-Visma), at 1’47’’
