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Sunday 20 July 2014

2014 Tour de France Stage 15 Report

Tallard - Nímes 222km

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The days break consisted of Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp) (Yes that is his name!) and Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling). after 120 km of riding they had established a strong lead of 6 minutes. John Gadret, Adrian Petit, Jeremy Roy and JC Peraud all had punctures in a short period of time. Richie Porte and Luca Paolini were dropped by the peloton, because of the echelons forming due to the crosswinds  but were able to catch back on. As the riders entered the final 50 km's, the rain came on torrential. At the intermediate sprint, Elmiger beat Bauer to take the €1500, Coquard beat Renshaw whilst Sagan was in fifth. The average speed for the first four hours was a fast 44km/h.  The breakaway maintained a lead of 1:20. Whilst Michal Kwiatkowski attacked off the front of the peloton with 20km to go. At the back, a tired, ill and constipated French champion Arnaud Demare punctured off the back of the peloton. Kwiatkowski was caught with 16 km to go, but more importantly he got some time trial practise for Stage 20. The breakaway had a  lead of 44 seconds with only a mere 8 kilometres left. Tony Martin attacked with 5 kilometres to go to try and make the peloton catch the breakaway. Martin's plan didn't work as the lead of the break was 27" with 2.5km to go.  Tony Martin attacked again with 2km to go. Alexander Kristoff caught Jack Bauer 20m from the line in a harsh bit of luck.

Stage 15 Result:

1.NORKRISTOFF Alexander23TEAM KATUSHA04h 56' 43''
2.AUSHAUSSLER Heinrich194IAM CYCLING04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
3.SVKSAGAN Peter51CANNONDALE04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
4.GERGREIPEL André135LOTTO-BELISOL04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
5.AUSRENSHAW Mark77OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
6.FRACOQUARD Bryan153TEAM EUROPCAR04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
7.LTUNAVARDAUSKAS Ramunas97GARMIN - SHARP04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
8.FRAFEILLU Romain214BRETAGNE - SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
9.SUIALBASINI Michael182ORICA GREENEDGE04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''
10.NZLBAUER Jack93GARMIN - SHARP04h 56' 43''+ 00' 00''

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