Special envoy to the Grand-Colombier
July 14 inspires the Ineos team. In 2022, Tom Pidcock, dazzling downhill, light in the passes had dominated the stage of L’Alpe d’Huez. A year later, the Polish Michal Kwiatkowski (33) has shown himself with efficiency. Member of the breakaway of the day, he was able to accelerate in the Grand Colombier to head for his 2nd stage victory on the Tour (after La Roche-sur-Foron in 2020). Discreet in 2023 (a single victory, during the Polish time trial championship), he expanded a rich list of achievements (world champion 2014, Milan-San Remo 2017, Amstel Gold race 2015, 2022, Strade Bianche 2014, 2017 ).
The UAE team struggled without counting. To keep the breakaway in check before setting a high pace in the Grand Colombier. After a grueling day in the sweltering heat, Slovenian Tadej Pogacar swung into action. He sprinted to snatch 3rd place (4” ahead of Vingegaard), nibble away a handful of seconds (8, including 4 bonuses). The suspense remains intact.
As during the 12th stage towards Belleville-en-Beaujolais, the Groupama-FDJ team did everything to find a place in the breakaway of the day. Quentin Pacher was one of the most active at the start of the stage, like Pierre Latour (2nd at the top of Puy-de-Dôme) eager to shine in front but penalized by his difficulties downhill (after numerous falls) and ejected in the descent of the Col de Cormaranche-en-Bugey. The group of twenty runners who had managed to break away at the 26th km were held on a leash for a long time by the UAE Team Emirates team (4 ‘in advance for the fugitives 22 km from the finish). The group still had sixteen units at the foot of the ascent of the Grand Colombier. Pacher attacked in the Grand Colombier, 16 km from the finish. Before being picked up and distanced.
Abused, unhappy, the leader of the Groupama-FDJ team had made the Grand Colombier a rendezvous. To rise to the height of the expectations of his team. Out of breath, he finished 16th at 1’45” from Kwiatkowski (50” from Pogacar). He was present. Reassuring before the difficulties that will spice up the weekend and spice up the third week.
The Grand Colombier had been the scene of a first arrival of the Tour de France 2020, hit by the Covid pandemic. The public, in number, was, this time, of the party. A colourful, festive climb (almost too much at times, especially with the smoke bombs) worthy of the climbs most popular with Tour spectators.
Head and legs gave out. The Australian sprinter from the Lotto Dstny team has had another difficult day. 3rd in Bayonne (3rd stage), 2nd in Nogaro (4th stage), he will have been able to place his burst of speed before disappearing. Quickly overtaken during this 13th stage, he finally gave up. After the Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-Quick Step), Thursday, the peloton of sprinters loses a new unit.
The DSM team leader hung on. The Auvergnat gritted his teeth, he made the accordion but he lost ground in the final ascent. He finished 19th at 3’29”. And is in 12th place in the general classification at 9’33” from Jonas Vingegaard.
The Colombian, injured, had suffered in the Grand Colombier in 2020. He had been forced to retire the next day. This year, he finished far from his teammate Michal Kwiatkowski (49th in the stage at 14’24”). He is in 26th place in the general classification at 50’26”.
