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Sprinter Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) is endeavor right this moment’s 10.9km ITT. Coquard has began now. Right here’s a bit extra info on his harm, per the Tour race centre:
Examinations carried after yesterday’s stage confirmed that Bryan Coquard has a fracture of the primary phalanx of the fourth finger on his proper hand. The French sprinter survived en path to Hautacam and he’s keen to start out right this moment however he already stated he gained’t be there tomorrow as his harm impacts his capability to securely navigate, particularly on downhills. He says he will likely be operated in the beginning of the week. After which he’ll get married proper after the Tour. Fortunately, his marriage ceremony ring will likely be on his left hand, the one which didn’t get injured.
“That is my final bib on this Tour and I need to take advantage of this climb”, he stated earlier than the beginning. “I can’t brake with my proper hand, so I can solely use the entrance brake. I’d be a public hazard if I stayed. It’s for the security of others and for my very own, because it’s a fracture that hasn’t displaced, however there’s a danger of displacement.”
This would be the second time in eight appearances that Coquard leaves the Tour earlier than the top, after his withdrawal in 2021.
Inexperienced jersey chief Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) completed the ITT in 29min 13secs. Lotto-Cap’s Lennert Van Eetvelt is within the scorching seat now with a number one time of 27mins 49secs. Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) may pip that quickly, he’s going fairly nicely on the course.
I’m listening to that Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) sustained an harm on his hand and may have surgical procedure on it later right this moment. Apparently although, he’s nonetheless going to participate in right this moment’s ITT first.
On the subject of the bikes that the riders go for on this stage, TNT Sports activities’ Hannah Walker earlier spoke about the different sorts that riders are rumoured to be going for, from aero time trial bikes, tailored highway bikes and hybrids.
Sean Kelly thinks that, for almost all, it will likely be “highway bike all the best way. Tailored and light-weight”.
In response to the ever updating graphic on the Tour de France race centre, there have been 26 riders out on the course the final time I counted. Romain Bardet out on the moto for TNT Sports activities, says he’s heard that Plapp goes to go “full out” right this moment. He shares that Plapp is on an aero bike with a full disc. He additionally says that the riders need to face a headwind within the first half.
The perfect time for right this moment’s particular person time trial has been crushed just a few instances already. Proper now, Belgian rider Sébastien Grignard (Lotto-Caps) is within the hotseat, with a time of 28mins 47secs. Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek) is out on the course and Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula) has just lately set off.
Matteo Vercher has crossed the road with a time of 30:01:67. He did a wheelie to the gang’s delight.
Additionally, you may need noticed that the preamble had some unusual time gaps and GC rankings talked about. This has been mounted now! Apologies. All I can say is that it was written earlier than I’d had a cup of tea and an almond croissant.
Riders to observe on right this moment’s stage
In response to the official Tour de France Instagram account, listed below are the riders to comply with on right this moment’s stage:
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1.49pm CEST/12.49pm BST – Luke Plapp (Jayco-Alula)
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2.18pm CEST/1.18pm BST – Ivan Romeo (Movistar)
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2.28pm CEST/1.28pm BST – Lenny Martinez (Bahrain Victorious)
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3.22pm CEST/2.22pm BST – Wout Van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike)
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4.47pm CEST/3.47pm BST – Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)
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4.49pm CEST3.49pm BST – Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2R La Mondiale)
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4.51pm CEST/3.51pm BST – Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility)
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4.53pm CEST/3.53pm BST – Primož Roglič (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
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4.55pm CEST/3.55pm BST – Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL)
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4.57pm CEST/3.57pm BST – Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Motels)
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4.59pm CEST/3.59pm BST – Florian Lipowitz (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
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5.01pm CEST/4.01pm BST – Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step)
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5.03pm CEST/4.03pm BST – Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike)
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5.05pm CEST/4.05pm BST – Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates XRG)
Vercher has 1.6km to go. As first rider out, he’ll set the marker for the others behind him to beat.
There’s additionally an official stage 13 briefing by Continental and French former skilled bicycle owner, François Lemarchand. He stated:
So, it will likely be Friday, 18 July, stage 13, Loudenvielle to Peyragudes, a ten.9km particular person time trial with a direct ascent. You’ll want actually, actually good legs proper from the beginning. Riders should heat up rigorously and well to be within the rhythm proper from the start.
The primary half heads towards the bottom of the Peyresourde climb, about 4km in. That part is a sequence of gently rising false flats. Riders will in all probability know in these 4km whether or not they’re having a great day or a foul one.
Then comes the bottom of the Peyresourde, a manageable climb. It’s a cross the place the gradients aren’t too steep – however 2km from the end, we’ll go away the Peyresourde and head for the altiport. That part is actually powerful, particularly the steep slopes on the end, that are brutally steep on the ultimate ramp to the highest.
Riders will really want to handle themselves to strategy this stage in the absolute best situation. Sure, I believe the riders who need to win the Tour de France will really feel the stress from the day earlier than proper as much as the beginning line.
That is what normal director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, needed to say about stage 13:
The Peyragudes climb has developed fairly a repute, notably the ultimate few hundred metres that give entry to the altiport, the place the Tour favourites have been scattered as they make their final effort as much as the road. All the time formidable, there gained’t be the slightest alternative for any respite on this time trial up this steep ascent. The riders may have barely two kilometres to achieve momentum earlier than they’re on to the climb of the Peyresourde.
Since Vercher began his ITT, 9 riders have been set off, together with Jordi Meeus (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) and Roel Van Sintmaartensdijk (Intermarché-Wanty). There’s a great crowd of spectators cheering and inspiring the riders on.
Right here is the stage route and profile of stage 13:
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Mountain particular person time trial begins with Mattéo Vercher
The primary rider, Mattéo Vercher (TotalEnergies), has rolled down the ramp in Loudenvielle to kick of right this moment’s time trial stage. On TNT Sports activities, they’re excited concerning the “first true mountain time trial in 21 years”.
Stage 13: Loudenvielle to Peyragudes particular person time trial, 11km
Right here’s a have a look at right this moment’s stage, Friday 18 July: Loudenvielle to Peyragudes particular person time trial, 11km, with William Fotheringham’s preview:
Three kilometres of flat, eight straight uphill in opposition to the watch, culminating in a last kilometre at 16%. It is a day for the GC males, with completely no hiding or bluffing. Whoever wins right here may have an excellent probability of profitable general in Paris, so it’s a day for Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard to indicate precisely what they’ve received within the tank. For everybody else, it’s harm limitation.
Preamble
After a completely brutal day within the mountains yesterday, the Tour de France riders are in for a 10.9km particular person time trial (ITT), full with an 8km, class one climb with an common gradient of seven.9%. So, not your traditional flat ITT.
After all, all eyes will likely be on the GC contenders, particularly Tadej Pogačar (UAE Staff Emirates XRG) who’s main within the yellow jersey with a 3min 31sec hole on second positioned Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).
It may all go as anticipated – Pogačar gained substantial time on Vingegaard throughout stage 5’s flat ITT – however right this moment may additionally throw up some suprises. Away from the duelling duo, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Fast-Step) is 1min 14secs behind Vingegaard, Florian Lipowitz (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is in fourth place and Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Motels) is in fifth place.
Oscar Onley (Picnic-PostNL), Primož Roglič (Purple Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility), Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2R La Mondiale) and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) spherical out the highest 10 on GC.
Right this moment’s stage will begin at 1.10pm CEST (12.10pm BST) with the primary rider, final positioned Mattéo Vercher (TotalEnergies) rolling down the ramp, and is scheduled to wrap up after Pogačar takes his flip at about 5.05pm CEST (4.05pm BST). As at all times, get in contact along with your predictions, questions and ideas on right this moment’s stage by way of the e-mail linked above.
Right here’s a recap of yesterday’s stage: