A Battle on the Mountains: Stage 14 of the Tour de France

Welcome to the thrilling coverage of stage 14 in the 110th Tour de France, an incredibly challenging mountain stage spanning 151 km from Annemasse to Morzine Les Portes du Soleil. This stage presented the riders with a grueling test, featuring five categorized mountains that would push them to their limits.

The stage kicked off with the peloton facing the daunting Col de Saxel, a climb that had not been featured in the Tour since 1981. This historic mountain had witnessed remarkable feats in the past, including Jean Chassang’s victory in the King of the Mountains classification. Another iconic climb, Col de Cou, made its sixth appearance in the Tour, with Bernard Bourreau etching his name in history at its summit in 1984.

A new addition to the Tour’s mountain repertoire was Col du Feu, offering fresh challenges to the riders. Col de la Ramaz, a familiar ascent, made its presence felt for the fifth time. Notable riders such as Thomas De Gendt, Richard Virenque, and Mario Aerts had claimed the King of the Mountains title on this arduous climb. Lastly, the legendary Col de Joux-Plane marked its 13th appearance, with Jarlinson Pantano being the last rider to conquer its demanding slopes in 2016.

As the stage unfolded, the General Classification battle intensified. Jonas Vingegaard had donned the yellow jersey since stage 6, but his lead over Tadej Pogacar had narrowed to a mere 9”. Jai Hindley occupied the third spot overall, trailing by 2’51”. The Yates brothers made significant strides, surpassing Pello Bilbao, and securing the 5th and 6th positions. Meanwhile, Thibaut Pinot slipped out of the top 10, with Sepp Kuss taking his place.

Unfortunately, a massive crash marred the early kilometers of the stage, occurring on a wet road at km 5.5. As a result, the race was temporarily neutralized, and Antonio Pedrero from Movistar had to withdraw from the Tour. After the necessary safety measures were taken, a new start was given at approximately km 8.

The race heated up as 21 riders formed an impressive breakaway, leading the charge with a 35” advantage over the peloton. Among the breakaway riders were notable names like Kwiatkowski, Martínez, Pinot, Powless, Alaphilippe, Landa, and Poels. Thibaut Pinot held the highest overall rank in the breakaway, with Guillaume Martin and Mikel Landa also featuring among the top 20.

Giulio Ciccone showcased his climbing prowess by sprinting to victory at Col du Feu, securing his second King of the Mountains classification of the day. The battle for supremacy reached its climax in the final kilometers, as Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar engaged in a fierce duel for stage honors.

In an enthralling sprint to the finish line, it was Carlos Rodriguez who emerged victorious, followed closely by Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard. Adam Yates and Sepp Kuss completed the top five, showcasing their remarkable strength and determination.

Despite the intense battle on the mountains and the stage victory by Rodriguez, Jonas Vingegaard managed to retain the yellow jersey, maintaining his overall lead in the General Classification. The stage proved to be a captivating chapter in the Tour de France, showcasing the unwavering spirit and exceptional talent of the world’s top cyclists.

Stay tuned for more exhilarating stages ahead as the riders continue their quest for glory in the world’s most prestigious cycling event.