Cycling: Sören Kragh Andersen had the right instincts on the 14th stage of the Tour de France. The Dane attacked with just under three kilometers to go and couldn't be caught. Bora – hansgrohe and Peter Sagan were able to make the fight for the green jersey exciting again.
Küng & Theuns as a runaway duo
Escape stage or not? The experts asked themselves this question before the start at 13:05 in Clermont-Ferrand. Because while the profile is actually made for the outliers to be successful, many viewers again expected a strategic trick from Bora – hansgrohe. And that's how it happened. At first, however, the Sunweb team caused irritated looks. With Casper Pederson and Cees Bol the German racing team placed two drivers in the escape group. But instead of pulling through, they let themselves be caught up again shortly afterwards. In the end, only the Swiss were like that Stefan Kung (Groupama – FDJ) and the Belgian Edward Theuns (Trek – Segafredo) active as a breakaway. The group was simply too small for the Sunweb team leader.
Bora – hansgrohe once again dominates the racing action
Before the start, the deficit of Peter Sagan (Bora – hansgrohe) on Sam Bennett (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) in the points classification. With a team attack, the Slovak in third place managed to score 15 points in today's intermediate sprint. However, the Irish champions didn't let themselves be disturbed and bagged at least 10 points themselves. But Bora - hansgrohe did not give up. The German racing team pushed the pace up the more than 10,0 km long Col du Béal. So could Sam Bennett be as distant as Caleb ewan (Lotto – Soudal). Since the CCC team also got involved later, the breakaway duo was placed far from the finish line and the drivers who were left behind could not catch up with the main field either.
Kragh Andersen celebrates in Lyon
The Côte de la Duchère could go up Tiesj Benoot (Sunweb) easily detach from the decimated peloton. Eliminated shortly thereafter Lennard Kamna (Bora – hansgrohe) attacked and went on the offensive himself. Up the Côte de la Croix-Rousse – the last climb of the day – caught up with him Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick Step) and thomas degendt (Lotto – Soudal). But the peloton didn't let this trio go either. After catching up, the pace plummeted. Hardly anyone had a functioning team at their side. Seize this moment Soren Kragh Andersen (Sunweb) to set his attack - and it hit! Behind them, no more controlled pursuit was organized, so the Dane was able to cross the finish line in Lyon with a 15-second lead. Peter Sagan finished fourth behind Luca Mezgec (Mitchelton-Scott) and Simone Consonni (UAE). The Slovak is thus reducing the gap in the fight for the green Sam Bennett to 43 points.
Bardet resigns with a concussion
Yesterday's 13th stage was not good for the French. William Martin (Cofidis) lost valuable time and third place overall. It got even worse Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale). He couldn't follow the top climbers either. After the race, it was announced that he suffered a concussion from his fall. Accordingly, he was no longer able to compete in the 14th stage today. This not only causes discussions among the French. Because once again cycling should think about a concussion protocol.
(I.e.@kraghsoren of 🇬🇧@TeamSunweb wins stage 14 of 🇫🇷@LeTour #TDF2020 (📺@sporza_koers) pic.twitter.com/BjU4FYLXnX
- World Cycling Stats (@wcsbike) September 12, 2020