A large leading group of 23 riders determined the bumpy stage through the central massif, Team Bora-hansgrohe was represented there with a trio, which had to be content with places five and seven for the two Austrians Patrick Konrad and Felix Großschartner and place eight for Kämna .
“Nice seventh, eighth, ninth. Real full amateurs,” cursed the 25-year-old German to himself at the finish, only to be a little more forgiving in front of the cameras and sound recording devices:
“I wasn’t at 100 percent. In the end, that’s the five percent that’s missing to fight for victory here. I did my best, what can I do.” Victory in the daily team ranking was probably only small consolation.
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Kämna was part of a large group of leaders for a long time – but on the last poisonous climb of the day, the strength was not enough for the really big hit. After the drama on the seventh stage, when he was only a few meters away from victory on the Super Planche des Belles Filles, Kämna had to let the other top riders go a few kilometers before the finish line this time.
Highlights: Matthews triumphs after heated battle in Mende
Tour: Matthews wins on third attempt
The happy winner was Matthews, who impressively secured his first victory after two second places in this Tour de France. Already 53 kilometers before the finish he went on the offensive and got out of the leading group, was then strengthened by three other drivers and showed himself to be fighting and nerve-racking on the more than 10% steep final kilometers and celebrated his at the end of the runway fourth tour stage win.
Just under two kilometers from the finish, he flew past the Italian Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost/+0:15), who had caught up and overtaken him in the meantime. Third went to France’s Thibaut Pinot, 34 seconds back.
Vingegaard countered Pogacar attacks
Leader Jonas Vingegaard was able to counter the attacks of his pursuer Tadej Pogacar: The Slovenian tried an attack at the beginning of the 192 kilometers, which only briefly surprised the Dane. In Mende, the Slovenian tightened his pace again and left all other rivals behind, only the yellow jersey holder held the rear wheel.
Louis Meintjes jumped up to seventh place overall. The South African was one of the escapees of the day, finished tenth and made up more than eleven minutes.
Geschke wears mountain jersey in the Pyrenees
The effort in the heat and difficult course was worth it for Geschke, he scored points along the way and extended his lead in the mountain jersey to 46 points over Meintjes (39 points). It is therefore clear that he will also lead the special classification until the next rest day and will carry the “maillot à pois” to the Pyrenees in the final week.
On Sunday, 202.5 kilometers from Rodez to Carcassonne are on the agenda, where the sprinters could have another chance.
(with SID)
Tour route, stage 15: chance for the sprinters in Carcassonne
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Tears after triumph: Matthews screams with happiness at stage win
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Victory ride after a brutal climb: Matthews’ attack is rewarded
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