At the end of the 12th stage of the Tour de France, one that was always set to be decided by the brutal slopes of Mont Ventoux, a chaotic climb overshadowed the final result. A breakaway took the stage honours but a crash for the first GC riders in the final kilometres stole the headlines. After crossing the line, Roman Kreuziger slipped a few places down the GC to 14th after finishing in 26th place on the day.
After yesterday’s stunning stage win with Peter Sagan, the team’s focus was back to supporting Roman Kreuziger ahead of the day’s final climb up Ventoux. Due to the high winds in the region, the final ascent was reduced by six kilometres, however, the nine still to be tackled help an average gradient of over nine percent gradient, plenty to shake the race up.
“The plan was clear for today, just to look after Roman and make sure he was in good shape going into the Ventoux,” explained Sport Director Steven De Jongh after the stage. “The guys did a good job and then it was up to Roman on the climb. When the big attacks came he lost contact but set a good pace. It was quite a hectic finish and he was just pushing to lose as little time as possible ahead of tomorrow’s time trial.”
Fourteen riders eventually established themselves at the front of the race and set about building a huge advantage of over 18 minutes, while behind the peloton remained nervous with the constant threat of crosswinds later in the stage. Keeping Roman out of trouble, the team grouped together near the front of the peloton and when the pace was eventually raised, they were ready and Roman made the front group of favourites.
With each kilometre passed the break’s chances of survival looked better and better, and as the race hit the slopes of the Ventoux it was clear they would take the stage. Both the breakaway and peloton, several minutes back, started to spinter with three riders pulling clear to fight out the stage win amongst themselves. Behind, the expected attacks came from the overall favourites and gradually Roman started to lose contact, eventually settling into his own rhythm for the final kilometres behind the unfolding chaos ahead. Enclosing crowds and stopping motorbikes caused a pile-up, which eventually saw the yellow jersey running up the road, while behind Roman was unaffected by the crash itself and fought on to limit his loses right to the line. Green jersey Peter Sagan crossed the line safely in the grupetto to conserve his jersey into tomorrow’s stage.
Tomorrow’s stage presents the first time trial of the race, a 37.5km individual effort from Bourg-Saint-Andeol to Le Caverne de Pont. It will be the first outing for Maciej Bodnar in his new Polish national champion’s skinsuit, while Roman will be looking to claw back time over some of those who finished ahead of him today.
Stage Result
1. Thomas de Gendt (BEL) Lotto Soudal 4:31:15
2. Serge Pauwels (BEL) Dimension Data +00:00:02
3. Daniel Navarro (SPA) Cofidis +00:00:14
4. Stef Clement (NED) IAM Cycling +00:00:40
5. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) Direct Energie +00:00:40
26. Roman Kreuziger (CZH) Tinkoff +00:06:51
90. Michael Valgren (DEN) Tinkoff +00:23:37
99. Robert Kiserlovski (CRO) Tinkoff +00:25:25
101. Rafal Majka (POL) Tinkoff +00:25:25
142. Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff +00:28:00
146. Matteo Tosatto (ITA) Tinkoff +00:28:24
148. Oscar Gatto (ITA) Tinkoff +00:28:24
170. Maciej Bodnar (POL) Tinkoff +00:28:24
GC After Stage 12
1. Chris Froome (GBR) Team Sky 57:11:33
2. Adam Yates (GBR) ORICA-BikeExchange +00:00:47
3. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek – Segafredo +00:00:56
4. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar +00:01:01
5. Romain Bardet (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale +00:01:15
14. Roman Kreuziger (CZH) Tinkoff +00:03:14
41. Rafal Majka (POL) Tinkoff +00:52:01
58. Robert Kiserlovski (CRO) Tinkoff +01:06:26
87. Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff +01:37:13
91. Michael Valgren (DEN) Tinkoff +01:41:22
158. Matteo Tosatto (ITA) Tinkoff +02:13:35
169. Oscar Gatto (ITA) Tinkoff +02:18:10
173. Maciej Bodnar (POL) Tinkoff +02:18:24
