cycling: Tour de France stage #15: Bauke Mollema wins as a soloist

Cycling: Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) has won the 15th stage of the Tour de France. The Dutchman won as a soloist after breaking away from a breakaway group. There weren't any major shifts in the overall standings, although things didn't look good for Chris Froome (Sky) at times.

28 drivers break away – Alberto Contador is not allowed to go with them

Today's 15th stage of the Tour de France sent the peloton through the southern Massif Central in good weather. A wavy profile from Laissac-Sévérac L'Église to Le Puy-en-Velay had to be covered over 189 kilometers. After a hard fight for the breakaway group, 28 men were able to break away. Among others, Warren Barguil (Sunweb), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) were there. Some teams sent several professionals to flee. BMC four, Katusha-Alpecin, Lotto Soudal and Sunweb three each. Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin) and Simon Geschke (Sunweb) also moved up the field. Another offensive strategy was pursued by Michael Matthews (Sunweb), who yesterday's 14st stage could win. The Australian secured the intermediate sprint and thus moved closer to Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors). Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) also tried it. But the Spaniard was not left out.

Ag2r gets serious - Chris Froome has to fight to catch up

The large escape group was able to extend its lead to over eight minutes. It quickly became clear that the winner would be chosen from among these 28 men. Tony Martin broke away from his competitors for a short time, but when he went up the Col de Peyra Taillade, he was caught by his pursuers. As expected, the group split into several parts. Barguil secured the mountains classification and thus extended his lead in the fight for the polka dot jersey. Taillade also got down to business in the peloton on the Col de Peyra, as Team Ag2r created a gap. Chris Froome (Sky) found himself at a rear and had to close the gap. As soon as this was done, he suffered a flat tire. Of course, Team Ag2r didn't break off the attack, so Froome had to make up a gap of around 40 seconds. With the help of his teammates, he managed to do this while still on the climb.

Bauke Mollema risks – and profits!

Bauke Mollema attacked from the leading group down the Col de Peyra Taillade. Behind him was a chasing group that grew to about ten men, which then split into two groups. The hunt began. Actually, his lead was far too small to save him the last 20 kilometers to the finish, but the pursuers simply didn't agree. The Dutchman saved 19 seconds ahead of Diego Ulissi (UAE) and Tony Gallopin (Lotto Soudal). Behind him Daniel Martin (Quick-Step Floors) attacked with the favourites. The Irishman is considered a poor time trialist and of course still has to make up a little time in the fight for the podium in the Tour de France. He succeeded, even if it was only a few seconds in the end. Behind them, the other classification drivers all got the same time.

Nairo Quintana loses a lot of time – Michael Matthews is chasing Marcel Kittel

There was no sign of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) far and wide. The Colombian lost a lot of time and fell out of the top ten. Damiano Caruso (BMC) is new in the top ten. The Italian sneaked up on the front because he was also part of the leading group. Michael Matthews has also worked his way up the points classification. The Australian is now 79 points behind. At first glance, that sounds like a lot of points, but if Marcel Kittel should miss one of the three remaining mass sprints, things could actually get tight again in the fight for the green jersey. Warren Barguil made a huge step to becoming a mountain jersey today. The Frenchman has 116 points to his credit after today's stage. Behind him is Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) with just 38 points.

Result of the 15th stage of the 2017 Tour de France

Overall ranking of the 2017 Tour de France after 15 of 21 stages