Cycling: Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) clinched his third day's win today. The wearer of the green jersey left Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and Arnaud Démare (Groupama-FDJ) behind in an exciting sprint. John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) finished fourth. As expected, there were no changes in the top 10 overall.
Four breakaways - but the sprinter teams are paying attention
The stars of the Tour de France had to cover 169,5 kilometers today from Bourg d'Oisans to Valence. Given the profile, a mass sprint was expected before the start, but with numerous sprinters leaving the Tour de France yesterday, it was initially unclear whether enough teams would be interested in following up. After a few kilometers this question was already answered, because after Michael Schar (BMC), Dimitri Claeys (Cofidis), Tom Scully (EF Education) and thomas degendt (Lotto Soudal) formed into a leading quartet, the teams Groupama-FDJ and Bora-hansgrohe pulled together in the peloton. Breakaway king De Gendt secured the sprint and mountain classifications almost without a fight. It was interesting to observe in the main field that in the sprint ranking alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) before John Degenkolb (Trek Segafredo) and Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) scored the points. There will probably be a duel for second place in the fight for green – in the event that Sagan does not make it to Paris.
Eliminated riders on stages #11 to #13
Unfortunately didn't start today Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida). The former winner of the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana arrived yesterday at the twelfth stage a few kilometers before the finish. Up through the crowds of spectators along the roadside Alpe d'Huez had to stop two police motorcycles abruptly in front of the Italian. Due to the colorful fog - caused by the Bengalos - Nibali could not see anything and got caught with his brake handle on a spectator. The 33-year-old fractured his vertebrae when he fell. Furthermore, several sprinters gave up the race yesterday. Two pros also missed the time limit.
| Stage | Driver | Country | Team | Plot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Marcel Kittel | Germany | Katusha Alpecin | timeout |
| 11 | Mark Cavendish | Great Britain | Dimension Data | timeout |
| 11 | Mark Renshaw | Australia | Dimension Data | timeout |
| 12 | Rigoberto Urán | Colombia | EF Education | Task DNS |
| 12 | Rick Zabel | Germany | Katusha Alpecin | Task DNF |
| 12 | André Greipel | Germany | Lotto Soudal | Task DNF |
| 12 | Marcel Sieberg | Germany | Lotto Soudal | Task DNF |
| 12 | Dylan Groenewegen | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | Task DNF |
| 12 | Fernando Gaviria | Colombia | Quick Step Floors | Task DNF |
| 12 | Tony gallopin | France | AG2R La Mondiale | Task DNF |
| 12 | Dimitri Gruzdvev | Kazakhstan | Astana | timeout |
| 12 | Queen Taaramae | Estonia | Direct Energie | timeout |
| 13 | Vincenzo Nibali | Italy | Bahrain-Merida | Task DNS |
Peter Sagan celebrates third stage win
Although the leading group could show an enormous quality, they had no chance of a successful venture today. The teams of the remaining sprinters barely allowed a lead of three minutes. 5,7 kilometers from the finish was with the Swiss Michael Schar the last breakaway and the mass sprint prepared. Team Trek-Segafredo took command for John Degenkolb. Groupama-FDJ was also right at the front. 800 meters from the finish tried it Philip Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) with a final attack. But the French team stayed alert and prepared for Arnaud Demare the sprint perfectly. Sprinting on his rear wheel alexander kristoff (UAE Team Emirates) and Peter Sagan (Bora-hansgroge). Barely visible to the naked eye, all three fast men raced across the finish line. The finish photo proves: Sagan was in front and can therefore be happy about his third day's victory. John Degenkolb finished fourth.
#TDF2018 La 13ª tappa è di Peter #Sagan che batte in volata #Kristoff, #Demare e #Epee Stock #RaiTour18 pic.twitter.com/JYL6U6utoW
- RaiSport (@RaiSport) July 20, 2018