Cycling: Nairo Quintana (Movistar) presented himself with a small consolation prize at the Tour de France. The Colombian will not win the Tour, but today he secured the stage win ahead of Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) at the Col du Portet. With third place, leader Geraint Thomas (Sky) was able to further extend his lead. Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb), on the other hand, took second place from Chris Froome (Sky) in the overall standings.
Julian Alaphilippe no longer gives up the mountain jersey
Showdown on the 17th stage of the Tour de France. It was only at 15:15 p.m. that the pros rolled out of the starting grid. From Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan there was only 65 kilometers to cover. As suspected, the line up as in a motorcycle race had no effect. There were numerous attacks up to the Montée de Peyragudes, but the favorites held back. While Team Sky dictated the pace in the peloton, Tanel Kangert (Astana) as a soloist and secure the maximum number of points at the summit. In the descent formed around him, Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) and Kristian Durasek (UAE Team Emirates) a top trio. Behind was a strong chasing group Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Rafal Mayka (Bora-hansgrohe). After the uninteresting sprint at Loudenvielle, the AG2R La Mondiale team picked up the pace in the peloton up to the Col de Val Louron-Azet, where Alaphilippe again scored important points for his mountain jersey.
The fireworks of the favorites start at the foot of the Col du Portet
The leading group went into the final climb with a lead of almost three minutes. Because Durasek and Alaphilippe were at the end of their tether, Kangert tackled the Col du Portet as a soloist. At the head of the peloton, the Sky Train drove its pace. Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) still dared to attack and were able to open the gap with around 16 kilometers to go. A short time later dared Primois Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) out of cover. Directly to his rear wheel clamped himself Chris Froome (Sky) so that in the group of remaining favorites now Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) was forced to work at speed. As usual, the Dutchman rode his own pace and was able to close the gap to his compatriot and the four-time winner of the Tour de France. Further up Quintana has caught up with relay station Valverde and shaken off Martin.
💥ATACA NAIRO QUINTANA a 14,5 km. de meta 💥
➡️ Le saca ahora mismo unos 30" al pelotón y 1′ por delante tiene a Alejandro Valverde#TDF2018 pic.twitter.com/8lVObi4hgi
— La Vuelta Stats (@lavuelta_stats) July 25, 2018
Nairo Quintana with a stage win as a consolation prize, Geraint Thomas sovereign
It was over with 8,5 kilometers to go Tanel Kangert happen. Nairo Quintana and Rafal Mayka took the lead in the race. The duo already had a one-minute lead over the group of favourites. Two kilometers later, Rafal Majka also had to let go and Nairo Quintana drove up to his solo victory at the Col du Portet Daniel Martin in contrast to. Meanwhile could Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) no longer follow the Sky tempo dictates of Wout Poels and Egan Bernal. attacked 2.500 meters from the finish Primois Roglic anew. This time went Geraint Thomas even with. Chris Froome and Mikel Landa were briefly distanced, but then rolled back into the group. After an attack by Tom Dumoulin however, they never came back. In the last meters it was only a matter of seconds. Geraint Thomas once again demonstrated his qualities by securing third place ahead of Prinoz Roglic and Tom Dumoulin.
Nairo Quintana wins Stage 17 #sbstdf pic.twitter.com/AVzg6woniw
— CyclingCentral (@CyclingCentral) July 25, 2018