Tour de France Stage 13 Analysis

It was an enormously important stage today for the general classification riders. They came in under a large amount of pressure to perform, as the clock was their enemy today. In the end, the Maillot Jaune stayed on the shoulders of Chris Froome, who turned in a fantastic performance on the course.

Froome Increases Lead

Coming into today’s time trial one of the main goals of the general classification riders was to avoid losing as much time as possible to Froome. The Team Sky rider had been reinstated as the leader of the race after a hectic finish to yesterdays stage. He came into today with an advantage of 47 seconds on Adam Yates of Orica-Bike Exchange. By the end of the time trial he had increased his lead by a exactly a minute.

With a flat stage and a mountain stage coming up on Saturday and Sunday its beginning to look like he won’t be caught. He has rode a seemingly flawless race thus far, and the chances of him relinquishing his lead are slim. His closet rival Nairo Quintana is now almost three minutes back. As usual, the last two stages in the mountains next week will be hotly contested, but it may be little to late for anyone hoping to displace the British rider.

Changes At The Top

Yates came into today in second place, but by the end of the stage it was Bauke Mollema who moved into the number two spot. The Dutchman had arguably one of the best time trial performances of his career out on the course today. He looked very strong on the bike throughout the effort and in the end he moved into second place for good this time. Yesterday he sat in second place, but was moved back to third when the jury decided to neutralize the times.

Quintana remained in fourth place, as he tried to limit his losses. His teammate Alejandro Valverde had a good effort today, which was good enough to move him into fifth place overall. Yates dropped back to third place, but did considerably well considering that the time trial isn’t his strongest discipline.

Richie Porte moved into eighth place overall, with his teammate Tejay Van Garderen taking over the sixth place spot. Fabio Aru didn’t have the best effort today and fell back to tenth place. Romain Bardet also fell back two spots, as he moves into seventh place.

Tom Domoulin Dominates

The Giant-Alpecin rider turned in one of his most dominant performances in the time trial today. He won by over a minute and was the class of the field by far. It’s his second win of the tour already, as he continues to show why he might be the best time trial rider in the world right now.

Thibaut Pinot Withdraws

One of the contenders for a top 10 finish at this years race has pulled out. Thibaut Pinot had been having a tough week and decided not to start Friday’s stage. He had struggled even in the first week of racing as he saw his hopes of a high finish dwindle. For a few stages he was in control of the mountain classification, but it was lost yesterday after a tough climb up Mount Ventoux.

He withdraws with illness as the main reason. It was a great effort from him the past few days, as he tried to continue for as long possible to try and make it through his home country’s race.

Remembering Nice

At the end of today’s stage all of the classification jersey wearers went on to the stage together. Followed by a moment of silence for those effected by yesterdays attack in Nice, France.

Stage Highlights

A tough ITT, Froome increases his lead and the victory of the flying Dutch!https://t.co/rLn5kQM8eJ — Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 15, 2016

Grâce à sa 2ème place, Froome prend une avance confortable / With his 2nd position, Froome increases his GC leadhttps://t.co/4uVIxgP8XT — Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 15, 2016

Tweets Of The Day

Thoughts are with those affected by the horrific terror attack in Nice pic.twitter.com/tM6IBN30xE — Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 15, 2016

That must have been my best TT ever. Happy with today's result! ? @TDWsport pic.twitter.com/nR20bsmySQ — Bauke Mollema (@BaukeMollema) July 15, 2016

Un protocole particulier dans la dignité & le recueillement / Dignity & unity during the protocol #NousSommesUnis pic.twitter.com/QspzpTp46I — Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 15, 2016

.@tom_dumoulin remporte cette 13eme étape / wins the ITT #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/w2meHVhWCw — Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 15, 2016

.@tom_dumoulin: "We can not let the terrorists decide for our lives" #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/qq788ixnOv — Le Tour de France (@LeTour) July 15, 2016

Stage 13 Results

Points Classification

Peter Sagan 309 Pts Mark Cavendish 219 Pts Marcel Kittel 202 Pts Bryan Coquard 125 Pts Michael Matthews 124 Pts

Mountain Classification

Thomas De Gendt 89 Pts Rafal Majka 77 Pts Daniel Navarro 68 Pts Tom Dumoulin 58 Pts Rui Costa 50 Pts

Youth Classification

Adam Yates Louis Meintjes +03’03” Warren Barguil +05’38” Emanuel Buchmann +16’17” Wilco Kelderman +27’23”

Team Classification

BMC Movistar Team Sky Astana AG2R La Mondiale

Stage Stats

Richie Porte (BMC) was the fastest among GC contenders at the first intermediate point. #TDFdata #TDF2016 pic.twitter.com/LndufBE3ME — letourdata (@letourdata) July 15, 2016