tour de france 2015 etape

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Tour de France 2015: stage 14 – as it happened

Briton Steve Cummings climbed to a shock victory in Mende for his first Tour de France stage win as Chris Froome extended his overall lead

• 18 Jul 2015 Stage 14 top 5
• 18 Jul 2015 Steve Cummings wins stage 14!
• 18 Jul 2015 2km to go
• 18 Jul 2015 5km to go
• 18 Jul 2015 10km to go
• 18 Jul 2015 20km to go
• 18 Jul 2015 Stage 14 so far
• 18 Jul 2015 General classification after stage 13
• 18 Jul 2015 Stage 14: Rodez to Mende (178.5km)

So Steve Cummings climbed to claim his first Tour de France stage victory , a brilliant result for the British former Team Sky and BMC racing rider. Peter Sagan extended his lead in the green jersey and likewise Chris Froome added to his advantage in the overall standings, beating his main GC rivals on the final climb.

That’s all from me but stick around on the site for the stage report and reaction and come along for tomorrow’s stage 15, from Mende to Valence. Bye!

Steve Cummings after winning stage 14 : “I though the last few years I was capable of this. It’s always hard to win because you have to play it really well. I’m just delighted for everyone in the team. I wasn’t really thinking of the win. I threw caution to wind and just went straight away.”

That is the first Grand Tour stage victory of an African-based team (MTN-Qhubeka) , and on Mandela Day, too. Kudos to TdF script writers. Meanwhile Froome has extended his GC lead:

Chris Froome extends his overall lead at the Tour to 3' 10" after 14 stages. Geraint Thomas now sits sixth on GC, 4' 54" back #TDF2015 — Team Sky (@TeamSky) July 18, 2015

Stage 14 top 5

1. Steve Cummings

2. Thibaut Pinot, at 0.02

3. Romain Bardet, at 0.03

4. Rigoberto Uran, at 0.20

5. Peter Sagan, at 0.29

Steve Cummings is in tears after the race, what a result for the 34-year-old , winning his first Tour de France stage in dramatic fashion. It is a shame he had to be wearing MTN-Qhubeka’s black-and-white referee kit, but it’s a great result for them too so let’s not let that spoilt it.

Vincenzo Nibali crosses the line, followed by Tejay van Gardere n, and it looks like the American BMC rider has lost his second place overall to Quintana today.

Back in what is left of the peloton, Quintana has Froome on his wheel . The Colombian kicks up a gear and tries to leave the yellow jersey wearer behind, but Froome sticks with him. Likewise, further back down the mountain Valverde gets away from Contador who struggles to stay in touch. Froome and Quintana charge to the line and the Briton might have made a second on his rival.

Steve Cummings wins stage 14!

Out of nowhere, Briton Steve Cummings takes on the leaders and he’s jumped Pinot and Bardet. Incredible show of strength from the MTN-Qhubeka rider and he’s gone clear as the climb flattens out... Cummings does it!

Quintana goes and Nibali goes with him . Valverde chases and behind him Froome tries to tag on, with Contador on his wheel. At the front it’s chaos: only Thibaut Pinot now appears to be able to stay near Bardet and it looks to be this French duo going for the stage victory.

Two races are going on simultaneously . At the front Koren and Golas’s race is run and Bardet is on the front. He attacks a sharp, 11% section of the climb and Simon Yates and Rigoberto Uran are the two trying to go with him. Fans jump into the road in front of them as they drive uphill. Back in the peloton Team Sky continue to lead five minutes back from the leaders... and suddenly Quintana breaks! Will Froome chase?

Romain Bardet has had enough and he kicks away towards the leading duo! The rest of the breakaway group has been caught on the hop: Uran and Bakelants go with Bardet but Pinot has been dropped a little. Five minutes back down the road the peloton remains as one with all the main GC contenders.

The predicted thunderstorms haven’t arrived and FDJ riders Roy , Pinot and Ladagnous continue to work in the blazing sunshine to close down Koren and Golas out in front. This steady pace is surely working in the favour of Sagan and Van Avermaet as they reach Mende.

Closing in on the final, brutal climb to the top of the Côte de la Croix Neuve , and Koren and Golas remain around 15sec clear of the 18 chasers. Back in the peloton, Cofidis rider Nicolas Edet kicks away.

Crowds line the narrow roadside as Golas moves aside and encourages Koren to pull for a stint. The 19 chasers remain 20sec back with around 8km to go. Back in the peloton (6min behind the leaders) none of the big GC players have attacked, yet, Team Sky still on the front.

The leading duo come to the top of the Côte de Chabrits . Could we have a repeat of yesterday’s finish? Among the 18 riders behind is Greg van Avermaet and Peter Sagan, the former pipping the latter in stage 13.

Koren catches Golas out in front and the pair begin to work together to move clear of the breakaway-ers , including Sagan, Pinot and Bardet, who are around 20sec back.

Richie Porte gets a friendly push from his former team-mate Mark Cavendish as he works his way back to the peloton after falling back to pick up a drink. Team Sky continue to lead the peloton with Van Garderen’s BMC Racing team on their shoulder. A moment later Richie Porte pulls over – it looks like he may have just suffered a puncture.

Michal Golas is upping his output as he reaches the foot of the category four Côte de Chabrits climb . The town of Barjac cheers him through – it’s less than 2km to the top before heading down towards the final ascent, and the Etixx rider has a gap of around 25secs from the 18-strong breakaway group... all of a sudden Cannondale Garmin’s Kristijan Koren decides to split from them and chase Golas on his own.

The Etixx QuickStep rider, Golas, gets down low off his saddle as he descends with a 15sec lead over the rest of the breakaway , who are staying in touch with the Pole. The peloton, featuring all the big GC contenders, is around 5min 37sec back and continues to be tugged along by Team Sky with Richie Porte and Ian Stannard on the front. Behind the peloton a group of stragglers have decided to conserve some energy for another day, and unsurprisingly its the sprinters with Greipel, Cavendish and Kristoff among them.

Michal Golas decides to inject a bit of pace into proceedings to split up the neat pack of 20 breakaway riders. It may be a move to disrupt those riders who would prefer a bunch finish like Sagan, with Golas’s team-mate Rigoberto Uran’s chances in mind. Meanwhile, Sepulveda has a technical problem and needs a quick bike change.

The breakaway riders reach the top of Côte de Sauveterre as one, and start the descent to the foot of the penultimate climb: Côte de Chabrits. At the top FDJ’s Matthieu Ladagnous won the maximum five King of the Mountains points. The group of 20 are around 5min 30sec clear of the peloton.

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Sagan pulls across to have a chat with his team car . In it is Russian oligarch and team owner Oleg Tinkov, who didn’t hold back yesterday following Sagan’s latest near miss for a stage victory:

i fucking crashed my Bang&Olufsen TV set. the team was working hard, he was well positioned, but...no karma https://t.co/688dlG0ce2 — Oleg Tinkov (@olegtinkov) July 17, 2015

FDJ continue to front the breakaway , with Jeremy Roy and Matthieu Ladagnous attempting to set up the stage win for Thibaut Pinot. Remember, Peter Sagan is in there too, desperate for a stage victory after four second-placed finishes in this year’s Tour. It’s fair to say we have two separate races, one for the stage victory which the breakaway-ers will contest, and one for time gain in the overall standings on which the peloton will battle. The leading 20 riders are 5min 40sec ahead of the peloton.

🚄🚄🚄🚄 @EquipeFDJ vs 🚄🚄🚄🚄 @TeamSky : + 6'00''. #TDF2015 pic.twitter.com/T3YjgQcSEe — Le Tour de France (@letour) July 18, 2015

35km to go and the breakaway riders are a third of the way up the 9km Côte de Sauveterre category two climb . Interestingly, Richie Porte has taken it upon himself to push along the peloton and the gap to the leaders is falling, now down to around 5min 50sec. The Australian is putting in a gritty shift on this ascent. That 20-strong breakaway group in full :

Andriy Grivko (Astana), Romain Bardet and Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale), Thibaut Pinot, Matthieu Ladagnous and Jérémy Roy (FDJ), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar), Greg van Avermaet (BMC), Koen de Kort (Giant-Alpecin), Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge), Michal Golas and Rigoberto Uran (Etixx-Quick Step), Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Bob Jungels (Trek), Ruben Plaza (Lampre-Merida), Kristjian Koren (Cannondale-Garmin), Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling), Pierre-Luc Périchon (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) and Stephen Cummings (MTN-Qhubeka).

Here’s a nice graphic to show how FDJ riders Matthieu Ladagnous and Thibaut Pinot are taking responsibility at the front of the breakaway, while Team Sky have fronted the peloton for much of the stage, led primarily by the imposing Ian Stannard, who offers a nice big shield for Chris Froome.

Proportion of time riders have led the breakaway from the 80-100km mark. #TDFdata #TDF2015 pic.twitter.com/8u0QOCocRE — letourdata (@letourdata) July 18, 2015

Proportion of riders leading the peloton from the 80-120km mark. @TeamSky has led since the sprint. #TDFdata #TDF2015 pic.twitter.com/UkLX65nhYL — letourdata (@letourdata) July 18, 2015

The peloton snakes through an arched opening in the rock as they ride north towards the Côte de Sauveterre. The breakaway lead remains at around 6min 31sec.

That crash pictured below, after 5km, has reportedly caused Morabito a broken collarbone . Pinot, Roy and Greipel all came off too but had a little more luck and have continued.

Morabito (FDJ) who crashed at km 5 is confirmed to have a broken collarbone. His team-mates Pinot and Roy are in the breakaway. #TDF2015 — letourdata (@letourdata) July 18, 2015

Some photos from stage 14 so far:

With 55km to go, the peloton is chasing a big leading group. The gap is around 6 minutes. #TDF2015 — LottoNLJumbo Cycling (@LottoJumbo_road) July 18, 2015

Following the intermediate sprint earlier in the stage , which Peter Sagan won comfortably without great challenge, the Tinkoff-Saxo rider has broken 300 points to strengthen his grip on the green jersey. Here are the current standings:

1. Peter Sagan (Slovakia / Tinkoff - Saxo) 305

2. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 261

3. John Degenkolb (Germany / Giant) 228

4. Mark Cavendish (Britain / Etixx - Quick-Step) 192

5. Bryan Coquard (France / Europcar) 120

With 60km to go, AG2R’s Bardet and Bakelants nestle in the breakaway to talk tactics . The gap to the peloton remains around six and a half minutes as the riders gently ascend.

What’s it like to be a team chef, you ask? Here’s Etixx QuickStep with the answer:

#TDF2015 VIDEO: Team Chef Tom Caubergs talks about cooking for our riders! 🍳 https://t.co/gY3Qb9MrBJ — Etixx - Quick-Step (@Etixx_QuickStep) July 18, 2015

Team Sky are still on the front of the peloton and close behind them are several BMC riders including Tejay van Garderen, Movistar and Nairo Quintana, with Contador’s Tinkoff-Saxo and Astana (Nibali, Fuglsang) also in tow. Rafal Majka moves to the side of the road to his car, to strap on one of those bottle bags that looks like something a hostage might have to wear in a Die Hard sequel. The gap to the breakaway group is now down to 6min 30sec.

If you’ve just joined the race situation with 70km is a pretty simple one , with a breakaway group of 20 riders around 7min 10sec ahead of the Team Sky-led peloton, which includes the main GC contenders. In around 30km the leaders will reach the foot of the Côte de Sauveterre, the first of three climbs of which the final ascent leads to the stage finish.

It will be interesting to see for how long the group stays intact but for now they ride clear as one, and the stage winner looks likely to come from this group (names listed below). Froome and company will be happy enough with Contador, Quintana, Van Garderen and Valverde all in the peloton but expect plenty of attacks there too, later in the stage.

News coming in that Giant-Alpecin rider Ramon Sinkeldam has abandoned the Tour through sickness .

#TdF2015 Abandon Ramon Sinkeldam The leaders have a 7.14 gap with 74K to go, Sky leading the peloton. — TourdeFrance Updates (@CyclingUptodate) July 18, 2015

Team Sky continue to drive on the peloton from the front , squeezing the gap to the breakaway-ers down to 7min 2sec.

By the way, do get in touch with any team and rider name-puns which entertained me during stage 12. Richard Lea emailed in last but not least: “I know its late but surely today’s tv show is Keeping up with the Katusha-ians.” And here’s a questionably fun game on a Saturday afternoon: how many of the Lotto Soudal riders in their drawing can you name?

#bottleoftheday Tour Heroes... The @Lotto_Soudal riders nicely drawn! #messageonabottle #TDF2015 pic.twitter.com/ESYMZiS9N2 — Lotto Soudal (@Lotto_Soudal) July 18, 2015

T he peloton passes through the feed zone where lunch bags include great balls of ice. At the nose, Geraint Thomas gratefully presses one to his skin. There are 80km remaining in this stage and three testing climbs. The peloton has reeled in the breakaway a touch, the gap down to 7min 20sec, but you get the feeling the stage winner will come from the front bunch while an entirely different race plays out behind them for the yellow jersey.

At the finish, a storm is brewing:

A Mende l'orage menace #ALLEZALM #TDF2015 #Lozere pic.twitter.com/zIKowm9DXE — AG2R LA MONDIALE (@AG2RLAMONDIALEc) July 18, 2015

Plaza decides to wait for the rest and the breakaway assembles as one . The 20-strong group – and it is pretty strong with plenty of big names enrolled – are 8min clear of the peloton which contains Froome and the other main yellow jersey contenders. In between the two groups is Luis Ángel Maté, the Spanish rider no doubt enjoying the scenery on his tod. The breakaway in full:

Following the sprint Ruben Plaza goes clear on his own . The peloton rides under the spectacular (British designed) Millau Viaduct in what is a good-looking stage in general, which includes the Gorges du Tarn. The main pack are around 8min back from the leader.

Not really, is the answer, as Sagan half-sprints clear while looking back over his shoulder to keep an eye on the rest. Greipel is back in the peloton so Sagan increases his green jersey lead, as Ruben Plaza crosses second behind him.

An intermediate sprint is approaching . Peter Sagan has placed himself up front – will anyone attempt to challenge him for the green jersey points?

That last time reading was a little (loads) off : the leaders have actually opened up a fair gap since breaking away and, with 75km gone of this stage 14, have an advantage of around 6mins. The 30sec gap I was referring to is to a counterattack of around 13 riders which includes yesterday’s winner Van Avermaet, Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet.

Andrew Talansky slips off the back of the breakaway with a puncture , but is quickly back in the main bunch. Seven riders lead in a breakaway around 30sec clear of the peloton: Grivko, Ladagnous, Sagan, Uran, Jungels, Plaza and Pantano.

Sagan, Pantano and Jungels have successfully bridged the gap to the leaders to make a group of eight out in front . They sweep round a hairpin and head north-east along the banks of Le Tarn with a 40sec advantage on the peloton, which the dark blue of Team Sky continue to lead along with Porte’s polka dots and Froome in yellow.

If you like looking at nice photos do take a look at the best images from yesterday’s action (warning: He who must not be named does feature, looking smug on a bike):

Back on the course the breakaway has fragmented a little . Grivko, Ladagnous, Uran, Plaza and Talansky have attacked and Sagan, Jungels and Pantano have decided they want to come along too. The Team Sky-fronted peloton has swallowed up the rest of the runaways and is timed around 40sec down on the leading quintet.

While the peloton snakes towards the top of the Col de Vernhette before a 14km descent to Le Tarn river , here’s a quick reminder of the latest news. After Greg Van Avermaet took an intense uphill finish ahead of a “pissed, very angry and disappointed” Peter Sagan (his fourth second-place of the Tour) to win stage 13, Richie Porte spoke out to denounce some of the local support as “a disgrace”:

“I was [punched] in the last 3km. I got a full-on punch. It was the same atmosphere on Alpe d’Huez two years ago. They are so anti whatever we are. “Do I deserve to be booed? Does Chris Froome deserve all this? I don’t think so. Maybe in 10 years’ time they’re going to see that these victories are legitimate. It’s a disgrace how some of these people carry on. “It’s a disgrace they say the same thing to Chris Froome. Just because this team has got its act together. We do everything right. Look at the Tour we are having. You can’t question that we are getting stuck in for Froomey. “Seven of us at the bottom for him. No other team had that. It’s because we are organised and committed.”

IAM Cycling are on the peloton’s nose keeping up a high tempo to prevent any major gap developing to the breakaway . The effect has been to shed some riders from the back of the peloton as they head south towards Saint Rome de Tarn, and the stragglers include Sepulveda, Kristoff, Greipel and Boasson Hagen.

Stage 14 so far

The bunch is through 40km but not all have made it: a crash after 5km involving FDJ’s Steve Morabito, Thibaut Pinot and Robert Gesink held up plenty of riders including Alberto Contador, briefly, and Morabito has been forced to abandon the Tour .

At the front several different teams and riders have attacked , including Cyril Gautier and Peter Sagan, but one larger group’s efforts seem to have finally stuck. The 24-strong pack are around 1min ahead of the peloton and does not feature any of the GC contenders. Here are your breakaway names (deep breath):

Andriy Grivko (Astana), Matthieu Ladagnous (FDJ), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), Adriano Malori (Movistar), Warren Barguil and Koen de Kort (Giant), Giampaolo Caruso and Alberto Losada (Katusha), Pieter Weening and Simon Yates (Orica-GreenEdge), Rigoberto Uran (Etixx), Pierre Rolland and Cyril Gautier (Europcar), Bob Jungels (Trek), Ruben Plaza and Rafael Valls (Lampre), Andrew Talansky and Ryder Hesjedal (Cannondale-Garmin), Luis Angel Maté (Cofidis), Jarlinson Pantano (IAM), Bartosz Huzarski and Paul Voss (Bora), Pierre-Luc Périchon (Bretagne-Séché Environnement) and Stephen Cummings (MTN).

General classification after stage 13

1 Chris Froome (Gbr) Team Sky 51hrs 34mins 21secs

2 Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing Team at 2mins 52secs

3 Nairo Quintana (Col) Movistar Team at 3mins 09secs

4 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team at 3mins 58secs

5 Geraint Thomas (Gbr) Team Sky at 4mins 03secs

6 Alberto Contador (Spa) Tinkoff-Saxo at 4mins 04secs

7 Robert Gesink (Ned) Team LottoNL-Jumbo at 5mins 32secs

8 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal at 7mins 32secs

9 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team at 7mins 47secs

10 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Trek Factory Racing at 8mins 01secs

11 Warren Barguil (Fra) Team Giant-Alpecin at 9mins 3secs

12 Mathias Frank (Swi) IAM Cycling at 12mins 35secs

13 Samuel Sanchez (Spa) BMC Racing Team at 13mins 14secs

14 Pierre Rolland (Fra) Team Europcar at 14mins 07secs

15 Romain Bardet (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale at 17mins 26secs

16 Andrew Talansky (USA) Cannondale-Garmin at 20mins 07secs

17 Joaquim Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha at 23mins 21secs

18 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Astana Pro Team at 25mins 36secs

19 Eduardo Sepulveda (Arg) Bretagne-Seche at 29mins 10secs

20 Gorka Izagirre (Spa) Movistar Team at 29mins 22secs

Hello! Welcome to stage 14 for what promises (OK, might turn out) to be a right royal rumble up the Côte de la Croix Neuve . The stage doesn’t really end in the stated finish-town of Mende but in an old airfield high above it, and to get there riders must scale the 3km climb which tilts to 13% gradient in places. That it follows the Côte de Sauveterre, at the end of a 178km stage and after two week’s racing, makes the ascent locals call La Monteé Laurent Jalabert (after the Frenchman’s spectacular 1995 win here) even more gruelling.

The sun is blazing in the south of France again, with predicted thunderstorms to see us home . Temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius so all jerseys will be drenched through come the close, with or without the rain. Thousands of bidons are at the ready (riders reportedly used nearly 30 each yesterday) for another tough, up and down sort of ride.

Given the finish, the sprinters won’t feature in stage 14 . It’s a close that suits climbers like Joaquim Rodriguez, who won here in 2010 and has two stage victories so far in this Tour. The Spaniard came in at the back of the pack yesterday several minutes down on the leaders, perhaps saving himself for specific stage victory bids. But Rodriguez, like most of the bunch, won’t be affecting the GC contenders today: Chris Froome’s job is simply to maintain his advantage over Tejay van Garderden, Nairo Quintana and the handful of others still eyeing his yellow jersey.

Stage 14: Rodez to Mende (178.5km)

This stage has a lumpy finale with the finish up the notorious short, steep climb to Mende’s airfield, three kilometres long, gradient 10%. Most likely, a strong escape will go on the very hilly early roads and gain enough time to fight out the stage win – outsiders who can climb like Daniel Teklehaimanot of MTN are the obvious choices – then the big players will show later in their own private contest. The two-mile climb to the finish suits all the big four and should enable whoever has emerged the strongest from the Pyrenees to gain a little more time. Short and steep means Froome and Quintana in the box seat.

Read more from our stage-by-stage guide .

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Tour de France Route, Stages and Results 2015

Etape du Tour 2015 (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – La Toussuire) – Route, Climbs & GPX

Etape du Tour 2015 will take place on the 19th of July and will follow the route of Tour de France, Stage 19 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire .

Here is the official video from A.S.O. Challenges .

UPDATE : 10 December, 2915 – Registration for ‘Bib Only’ is now CLOSED

It is not easy to pack 4500m of climbing in only around 140km, but the organizers have managed to do it by including Col de Chaussy , Col du Glandon , Col de la Croix de Fer , Col du Mollard and La Toussuire . Oh, and on the ascent to Col de Chaussy you will also climb Col du Ventour (780m) . Definitely one of the toughest editions of Etape du Tour ever.

The route is actually quite similar to the one used in Etape du Tour 2012 (Albertville – La Toussuire) , the main difference being the first climb of the day – Col de la Madeleine (from Feissons-sur-Isere) in 2012 and Col de Chaussy (from Hermillon) in 2015.

Etape du Tour 2015 Climbs

Relatively unknown, but scenic route to Col du Chaussy, included in Tour de France and Etape du Tour 2015.

Featuring in Tour de France & Etape du Tour 2015, this is the hardest ascent of Col de la Croix de Fer and includes the northern climb of Col du Glandon.

The shorter, southern ascent to Col du Mollard on the D80, which has featured in the Tour de France & Etape du Tour in 2012.

This is the main La Toussuire climb, leaving the D926 and heading west on the D78, passing through Villarembert on the way to the ski station. Part of Tour de France & Etape du Tour 2015.

Etape du Tour 2015 Registration & Prices

In order to register for the event, you need to have an existing A.S.O Challenges account or create a new one.

Click here to register for Etape du Tour 2015

There is an early bird discount for the first 2000 participants, who will pay only 80 Euro . Everyone else will have to pay 100 Euro . Apart from just purchasing a BIB, there are single and team packages available.

You can also choose to pay for cancellation insurance (not a bad option), comprehensive insurance and even a non-riding guest.

Preparing for Etape du Tour 2015

It goes without saying that if you are planning on doing the Etape in 2015, you need to get comfortable climbing for long periods of time. But, climbing is not everything. Here are a few things to bare in mind:

Descending – knowing how to descend properly is essential. Some riders are just born descenders, but for many of us its a skill that needs to be learned. Practice going downhill as often as you can, preferably in a group with other cyclists. Focus more on choosing the correct line while entering and exiting a corner, and not so much on being as fast as you can.

Pacing – with so many people on the start of the Etape du Tour it is really easy to get caught up in the moment, especially on the first climb. Another rider passes you and instinctively you jump on his wheel. Before you know it, you are in the red, struggling to breathe and there are 4,000 more meters of climbing to go. Being disciplined and sticking to your own pace is easier said than done. Just keep in mind that the last climb is La Toussuire and try to keep something in reserve.

Clothing – it may look sunny at the start, but at the summit of Col de la Croix de Fer the temperature may be 10C lower. The descends can be quite chilly too, so make sure you have adequate clothing.

Eating & Drinking – Make no mistake about it, eating and staying hydrated on the bike is a skill and needs to be practiced. Check where all the feed zones and water stations are in advance. It is better to have some food left in your pockets when you reach the finish, rather than bonking on the last climb.

Gearing – With so much climbing in the 2015 Etape du Tour, gear selection will be crucial. Of course, it all comes down to personal choice and fitness level, but you will probably be better off with a compact 50/34 at the front, rather than a standard 52/29, and a 12-28 or even 32 at the back. Even top professional riders go for higher gears when facing long Alpine climbs where the gradients at places reach double figures. Its better to have an extra gear and not use it than suffering unnecessarily because of poor gear selection. Remember what happened to Sean Kelly during Eurosport’s The Ride: Conquer The Road, featuring Chris Froome ?

Enjoying – Don’t forget to have fun on the day. For many cyclists, riding the Etape du Tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Soak up the atmosphere. Check out the stunning Alpine views. Smile every time you pass a Col. Make new friends. Whatever you do, just don’t spend 140km looking at the wheel in front of you or your bike computer.

Videos from previous editions of Etap du Tour

Registration will open on Tuesday 20th October 2015 at 2.00pm!

Etape du Tour 2015 will follow the route of Tour de France, Stage 19 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – La Toussuire. Tough Cols and 4500m of climbing. Ouch!

Etape du Tour 2012 Act 1, from Albertville to La Toussuire, includes 4 Cols and over 4700m of climbing. The word “tough” doesn’t even begin to describe the route!

First of two editions in 2011. The route includes Col du Telegraphe, Col du Galibier and Alpe dHuez. Brilliant!

For more information – www.letapedutour.com

7 thoughts on “ Etape du Tour 2015 (Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne – La Toussuire) – Route, Climbs & GPX ”

Can’t wait!

Registration done. Base training started.

Sh***ing my pants a bit, but bring it on!

A friend of mine did it last year and said it was the ride of his life! Hope next year’s edition is gonna be as epic as the previous ones!

The little voice inside tells me that if I manage to get over Col de la Croix de Fer without suffering terribly, I’ll make it all the way to the finish.

Registered!

Are you sure you have the correct first 10Kms? According to published information when the stage was announced, the Etape first goes up the Lacets de Montvernier at La Plataz and then on to the Chaussy?

I’m glad you ask. Many websites are indeed saying that the climb up Col du Chaussy is via the Lacets de Montvernier. This is purely based on an assumption, because that route is the more popular and spectacular one, but it is ultimately incorrect .

The actual route is from Hermillon -> La Chatel -> Montvernier – Col du Chaussy. That’s the official information given by the organizers. You can clearly see it on the official video above and on the details page of the climb, as well.

Lacets de Montvernier will feature in Tour de France 2015, but on stage 18, Gap to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne.

Hope this helps and clears it up for you, and everyone else who is confused by the misinformation.

Happy Riding!

Thanks for that, I was getting confused by some of the info out there.

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Sprint | Épierre (42 km)

Points at finish, youth day classification, kom sprint (1) col du chaussy (15.4 km), kom sprint (hc) col de la croix de fer (83.0 km), kom sprint (2) col du mollard (103.0 km), kom sprint (hc) la toussuire (138 km), team day classification, race information.

• Date: 24 July 2015
• Start time: -
• Avg. speed winner: 31.5 km/h
• Race category: ME - Men Elite
• Distance: 138 km
• Points scale: GT.A.Stage
• Parcours type:
• ProfileScore: 376
• Vert. meters: 4545
• Departure: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
• Arrival: La Toussuire - Les Sybelles
• Race ranking: 0
• Startlist quality score: 1812
• Won how: 16.2 km solo
• Avg. temperature:

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Tour de france 2015: stage one.

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Live Reporting

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On to stage two

Utrecht - Zelande, 166km (103.14 miles)

This is the Tour de France folks, no time to dwell on today, we're already thinking about tomorrow.

In classic Dutch style, stage two is as flat as a steamrollered pancake. But it's along the coast and could be literally blown all over the place.

I'll leave you with Geraint Thomas's assessment of day two, and you can read his full breakdown of the route here. Join us again tomorrow for more coverage.

"This will probably be the most stressful day of the whole year's racing. It's along the coast and if there are a lot of crosswinds, that could split the race into groups. The teams with riders aiming for the yellow jersey will be trying to keep their guys at the front of the peloton so they don't lose time."

'It's a dream'

Rohan Dennis has been speaking on ITV4: "Everything went perfect. We went with the tactic of going out early and setting a benchmark and making everyone chase me. There's a bit of shock. To wear the Tour de France yellow jersey - it's a dream. I always wanted to be in this position and now I am."

Post update

Former GB cyclist on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"It's been an incredible stage today. All the talk should be about Rohan Dennis. Five seconds ahead of Tony Martin? It's fantastic. Aside from that it's about the GC riders and they are all there or there abouts within a few seconds of each other."

Race for yellow

What about the GC chasers?

It's nice and tight. Just 20 seconds separate the five men expected to challenge for the yellow jersey.

Pinot - 15mins 37secs

Nibali - 15 mins 39secs

Froome - 15mins 46secs

Contador - 15mins 54secs

Quintana - 15mins 57secs

Result after stage one

Yellow Jersey

Classification

1. Dennis - 14mins 56secs

2. Martin - +5secs

3. Cancellara - +6secs

4. Dumoulin - +8secs

5. Van Emden - +15secs

Rohan Dennis wins first stage

Vincenzo Nibali is the last man over the line, but the 2014 Tour de France winner is not threatening Rohan Dennis's big moment in the Utrecht sun.

Nibali crosses in 15mins and 39secs - we'll get on to how that affects the GC in a moment.

But for now, just linger on Dennis's achievement. It was the fastest ever time trial at a Tour de France and five seconds quicker than Tony Martin. Castroviejo, in sixth, was a whopping 23 seconds back - nowhere near.

Dennis delight

Not all the riders are in yet, but it's just dawned on Rohan Dennis that there is nobody left out there who can beat him.

A lady, who I can only assume is Mrs Dennis, is in floods of tears as she grasps him tightly. It's an emotional scene.

The Australian possesses the yellow jersey.

Froome finishes

Alberto Contador with possibly the biggest grimace of the day. The pain is obvious. He's over in 15mins 54secs.

And now Chris Froome crosses, anguish written all over his face. It's 15mins 46secs for the Brit, which puts him eight seconds up on Contador and 13 seconds behind Pinot, who is the big winner today.

Race for yellow jersey

Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Vincenzo Nibali will have GC rivals Thibaut Pinot and Nairo Quintana in their thoughts.

Pinot recorded 15mins 37secs, with Quintana 20 seconds further back. Who will lay down an early marker?

'Very, very disappointed'

Tony Martin, in second, has spoken to French TV.

"I'm very, very disappointed. I wanted to win. Any other result is a bad one. I feel that I couldn't handle the heat, especially in the second half where I felt weaker. It was hot but that's the Tour de France, it's in July and this time trial wasn't long enough for me."

Cancellara third

It's a trademark gritty effort from Fabian Cancellara, but it's just short. The Swiss is seven seconds off Dennis and is in third. Cancellara is sat on a kerb with way too many people trying to gather around him - give the man space!

Meanwhile, the reigning champion Vincenzo Nibali has got his title defence under way.

Tweet us via #bbccycling

Stephen Shaw: Prediction for Tour: Quintana to win, Nibali second, Pinot third. Best of luck to all

Ian Waterfall: Dennis quicker than Martin!!! C'mon Fabian!! Great start to TDF2015

Get involved using #bbccycling

After 174 riders have finished

3. Dumoulin - +8secs

4. Van Emden - +15secs

5. Castroviejo - +23secs

Contador and Froome start

Alberto Contador, chasing a rare Giro and Tour double, is away. You can't miss him, that yellow Tinkoff-Saxo jersey can be seen from Jupiter.

And one minute behind him is Chris Froome. The Briton is under way.

A couple of decent times for Brits in the bank. Geraint Thomas, the Commonwealth champion, is 11th, a place ahead of Alex Dowsett.

But big shout out to Stephen Cummings, who gone ninth in 15 minutes and 28 seconds, 32 seconds off the top.

Peter Sagan, a rival to Mark Cavendish for the green sprint jersey, is done for the day. It's not a bad effort to be fair. The Slovakian, who took the green jersey last year, is done in 15mins 37secs and is 18th.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Don't forget you can listen to the stage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. The team have a pretty good view, and have sent us this snap of Tony Martin heading for the line.

"I feel Cancellara is just past his best. I think even he would say that. But he will go out there today and give everything he has got."

Off you go Spartacus. Fabian Cancellara is ready for battle. What has the 34-year-old Swiss and eight-time Tour stage winner got in the tank?

John McEnerney: Quintana & Contador to go at it for the title can see Nibali being close but not close enough!

Use #bbccycling to get involved

Martin goes second

It seems that Rohan Dennis can't be beaten. Tony Martin crosses the line and is five seconds slower than the Australian.

Dennis puffs out his cheeks in relief. He knew the German was probably the biggest threat to him owning the yellow jersey tonight.

Martin three seconds off

Tony Martin passed the 7.1km mark three seconds off Rohan Dennis's time at the same time. We've learned that Dennis put on the turbo chargers from this point though.

After a bit of controversy earlier, Lars Boom is off the ramp and on the road. Meanwhile, Germany's Tony Martin is looking strong, but strong enough?

Matt Slater

BBC Sport at the Tour de France

"'Bicycles change lives' is the MTN-Qhubeka motto and Ryder says that can certainly be the case for the coming generation of East African riders, which will be a great story for a sport that is still very European.

"Ryder's challenge is to keep the show on the road but his South African sponsors seem to be delighted with the exposure they are getting, even if the 14 rands to the euro exchange rate does not help them."

"Whilst we wait to see what the later starters can do with that helpful tailwind over the back half of the course, let me tell you about one of the most popular teams in the car park today: new boys MTN-Qhubeka.

"The South African-based and financed outfit has been on quite a journey to get here but team principal Doug Ryder was happy enough to share the tale with the dozens of journalists and well-wishers who ventured over to his corner of tarmac.

"Much has been made of the potential physiological advantages that the team's East African riders might have - the Eritrean home of Daniel Teklaimanot and Merhawi Kudus is more than 2,000m above sea level - but Ryder believes it is their will-to-win that could make the difference as soon as they get to grips with the argy-bargy and tactics of pro racing."

Dowsett seventh

Britain's Alex Dowsett has drifted a bit in the final few kilometres. The Tour de France debutant, racing for Movistar, prefers the longer time trials, and his time of 15mins 32secs is 36 seconds off Dennis and puts him seventh. He's top of the Brits though.

Dennis retains lead

Hmm. Maybe not that close. Dumoulin comes in eight seconds behind Rohan Dennis's leading time and goes into second. So no Dutch yellow jersey wearer as it stands.

Who has two thumbs, a big smile and is still in the lead? Rohan Dennis. The Aussie is shown on screen looking pretty happy with that result. Sure his time cannot be beaten?

Tom Dumoulin, with the whole of Utrecht manically screaming him on, has his head down. A slight incline in the final kilometre. This is going to be close...

Dowsett in contention

And what about Alex Dowsett? He flies through the 7.1km mark just four seconds off Dennis's time at the same stage. What can he do in the final stretch?

Dumoulin one second behind

Now, how's Dumoulin at the 7.1km time check?

He's one second slower than Rohan Dennis was at the same distance, so he's bang in this. Although Dennis's second half of the 13.8km was lightning quick, so it's all to play for.

German Tony Martin, a three-time world time trial champion, is up in about 15 minutes. He's been sparked into action by Rohan Dennis's effort and has apparently increased the size of his gear wheel - I hear it's as big as a space hopper.

The big names keep coming. GB's Alex Dowsett is flying into the stage. At least I assume he is. The Dutch broadcaster is understandably predisposed with Dumoulin, and I think he's all we'll see for the next 10 minutes or so.

Here we go, things are getting serious, serious, serious. Dutch boy Tom Dumoulin is off the ramp and on the tarmac, legs pumping.

He's nippy in a time trial and has home support. He takes the corners a few inches away from the barriers, behind which there are thousands of locals going bananas. Wonderful scenes.

How do you psyche yourself up before hitting the road? Mark Cavendish has the answer...

The Manxman finished in 16 minutes and 22 seconds earlier this afternoon. Well, he was never going to challenge the big guns today was he?

There really could be many worse places to be today than in Utrecht. Blazing sunshine, waving, cheering fans, top-notch time trialing. It's not bad at all.

After 124 finishers

2. Van Emden - +15secs

3. Castroviejo - +23secs

4. Kelderman - +30secs

5. Gesink - +33secs

Get Involved

You can join the conversation using #bbcycling on Twitter, or by texting us on 81111 in the UK only.

They call me mellow yellow

There's a bit of chat about the Tinkoff - Saxo kit. Fluroscent yellow is an excellent colour for road safety, although visibility is pretty good in Utrecht at the moment, so there's little risk of a Vauxhall Corsa pulling out on you on a roundabout.

Anyway. The consensus is it's a bit naff. What do you think?

"The GC riders cannot afford to back off and have to go full gas. Froome is a strong time trialist, certainly one of the strongest among the GC guys."

Pinot on point

He's not a noted time trialist, but this is a tidy shift from FDJ's Thibaut Pinot.

The Frenchman is round in 15 minutes and 37 seconds, which is 41 seconds off the lead, but more importantly, it's 20 seconds quicker than potential GC rival Nairo Quintara.

"We have a race in a race, firstly with those guys wanting to win the stage. Tony Martin was my favourite but he really has his work cut out. What an incredible pace has been set by Rohan Dennis. Then the second race is that race between the GC contenders - they have their own battle to try and not lose too much time."

Britain's Peter Kennaugh, tongue sticking out of gritted teeth, legs pumping, propels over the line.

The national road race champion is done in 16mins 4secs and is 30th.

Coverage is under way on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra. You can listen by clicking the play button at the top of the page.

There's very few capable of beating Rohan Dennis's time but Trek's Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara is certainly one of them. 

He'll be out on the road from 16:03 BST.

Official: Quickest ever time trial

Le Tour have confirmed that Rohan Dennis is a monster.

The Australian's average speed of 55.446kph over the 13.8km has eclipsed Chris Boardman's 55.152kph over 7.2km in Lille in 1994. It's the quickest time trial in a Tour de France ever.

That's Boardman in the yellow jersey in the photo above.

"I caught up with UCI boss Brian Cookson in the team paddock earlier - he was wandering about being presidential.

"He told me Astana's latest tangle was a popular topic of conversation, although he looked relieved it was more of an issue for the teams' voluntary group the Movement for Credible Cycling than something on his doorstep.

"He was very pleased to tell me, though, that the UCI had started overnight drug-testing - no longer can riders close their doors to the testers between 11pm and 6am. A few other sports might want to try that.

"Cookson's compliance teams will be busy, then, as he has also warned teams that the UCI will impound team trucks to test all bikes for hidden battery-powered motors.

"Sounds like a joke, doesn't it? But the technology exists and they used to say the same thing about blood transfusions."

GB finisher

Simon Yates is the highest ranked Briton in the Tour de France.

He's over in 15 minutes and 42 seconds, 46 seconds off the lead and in 13th place.

The other Brits look like this: Ian Stannard 26th, Mark Cavendish 52nd and Luke Rowe 82nd.

Thibaut Pinot, like an underappreciated grigio (I've been waiting two hours to do that joke), is a few people's dark horse to challenge the big four for the GC. He's out on the flat Utrecht roads with the noise of yelling Dutchman in his ear.

We've got a while to wait to see if Rohan Dennis's time can be challenged. Tom Dumoulin will give it a good crack at 15:25 BST, with Alex Dowsett going three minutes after that.

What about Spartacus? Fabian Cancellara is one of the last ones out of the shed at 16:03.

After 84 riders finish

1. Dennis - 14mins 56 secs

It's also worth noting that Rohan Dennis was a second behind Jos van Emden at the halfway mark. He then made up 14 seconds across the next 6.9km. However you look at it, it's a marvellous ride.

Simon Brotherton

BBC cycling commentator on Twitter

"Leader so far. Fastest ave speed in TDF TT ever. 55.45kmph."

There's slight disparity in Rohan Dennis's average speed, but it seems indisputable that it is the quickest time trial ever in the Tour.

'What is my time worth?

Nairo Quintana has spoken to French TV after his 1-minute 57-second time trial. He's the first GC contender to finish, so will sit back with a coffee and perhaps a tasty waffle while his rivals dig out their own times.

"That was a very demanding race. Yesterday I felt good. I don't know what my time is worth. I'm only interested to know where I stand compared to the other GC riders, not the time trial specialists who are ahead of me now."

Ian McCormack: Just covered 14km around Manchester in 37 minutes. Where am I in comparison to the TdF boys? Time bonus for doing it in traffic?

Join the conversation using #bbccycling on Twitter, or text us on 81111 in the UK only. And if you are texting in, don't forget to include your name and location.

"Now that I've cooled down enough to think I am able to compute just how good that ride was by Australia's Rohan Dennis. He was many people's pre-stage tip to set the early target but the former world hour record-holder has just put in a seriously impressive quarter of an hour in Utrecht. Will anybody beat it?

"Some very good time trialists have already finished - Richie Porte and Rigoberto Uran, for example - without getting very close to Rohan's ride. We will know more in an hour or so when Tom Dumoulin, Alex Dowsett and German machine Tony Martin have had their say."

Quintana done

That's 13.8km down, just another 3,346 to go before we find out if Nairo Quintana will be a Tour de France winner.

The Colombian is 16th out of the 66 finishers, one minute and one second by Dennis's leading time of 14mins 56secs.

Record speed?

We're starting to get an idea of just how ridiculously quick Rohan Dennis was across that 13.8km stage.

His average speed was 55.2kph, which ITV are reporting as a record average speed in a Tour de France time trial. It's an absolute sizzler.

'A bonus minute'

Leader Rohan Dennis has spoken to letour.com: "It was my goal to do well. It was pretty smooth. It was very long on the way home. I kept thinking sixteen minutes because that was my time at training. In the end I got one minute bonus. Let's wait and see now. It looks like it's going to be a long time on the hot seat."

2. Van Emden +15secs

3. Castroviejo +23secs

4. Kelderman +30secs

5. Gesink +33secs

Matt Taggert: "It's TdF time again! No relentless Cav-support today, it's got to be Dowsett to get the yellow!"

Alex Dowsett to do it on his Tour debut? It's what dreams are made of. What do you think? Use #bbccycling on twitter or text on 81111 and tell us your name.

Our first yellow jersey contender is away. Nairo Quintana has been a lot of people's tip to win the GC. He won't be winning the stage today, it's not his bag, but he's off aggressively and there's plenty of noise from some of the tens of thousands of Dutch who have lined the Utrecht street.

There is a bit of mystery around Quintana's form, with the climber having hidden himself away in his native Colombia for most of his training.

Andrew Harvey: What a marker from @RohanDennis!! Very tough time to beat #TDF2015 #TDFutrecht

Can it be beaten? Join the conversation at #bbccyling

Anyone who hasn't been out yet has just sat up and spat out their coffee. Australian Rohan Dennis has set a bonza time of 14mins 56secs.

That's a cool 15 seconds quicker than Jos van Emden. It's going to be tough to beat, especially when you consider the pre-stage estimated time was around the 17-minute mark.

Cav is done

This is the shortest day's work (apart from rest days) over the coming three weeks. There's enough time to get your time trial done and then grab an ice cream.

Mark Cavendish is done. Today is not a day for the sprinter, he's down in 20th in 16 mins 22 secs, one minute 11 seconds behind the leader Jos van Emden.

"The world's biggest annual sports event has started and it is not a day for the faint of heart or fair of skin ... it is only a few degrees cooler than Qatar.

"But that has not stopped half a million fans from turning out to watch the 198 riders blitz around a 13.8km loop of this bike-mad Dutch city.

"Sure, many have to see the 'big four' of Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali, but there are 21 Dutch riders in the field and in Tom Dumoulin they have an excellent chance of seeing a compatriot wear the yellow jersey for the first time since 1989.

"He goes at 1525 UK time, two minutes before the British contingent's best hope of success today, Alex Dowsett, although Chris Froome will fancy laying down a marker, too.

"In the meantime, I am going to find some shade and a smoothie. And a hat."

One of today's big boys is out of the blocks. Australian Rohan Dennis, who held the hour record this year before Alex Dowsett and then Bradley Wiggins broke it, is on the Utrecht roads. We'll keep an eye on his time.

Stannard finishes

Ian Stannard is the first Brit over the line. The Team Sky rider is fifth of the 25 riders to finish, clocking a time of 16mins 7secs. Leader Jos van Emden is 56 seconds quicker.

Dreaming of yellow

Britain's Alex Dowsett, a contender in this time-trial stage, has just spoken to ITV. He goes off at 15:28 BST.

"It will be a hard fought battle. it's a massive dream to take yellow. Hopefully I will be at the sharp end of it, but my main job here is to help Nairo Quintana win it."

There is a steely look of determination on the face of the Mark Cavendish as he starts his 2015 Tour de France. The Manx Missile will battle for the green jersey this year, after a miserable Tour 12 months ago that ended with a fall in Harrogate.

We have our first finishers!

Daniel Teklehaimanot, our friend who started everything off, is over the line in 16 mins 30 secs. He's already down to fifth though, with Jos Van Emden of the Netherlands quickest on 15 mins 11 secs.

'I have not done anything dodgy'

Lars Boom , the Astana rider, has spoken to Dutch TV about the low level of cortisol in a test today. To be clear, it's not a failed drugs test, but Astana have signed up to an agreement to pull out riders for eight days after such occurrences. As it stands, Boom will race.

"You look forward to the start, then you hear after the press conference that you have low cortisol level. I didn't expect it. I was lying on the bed when the doctor came in and told me. I've been using a puffer for my asthma for 10 years and I was sick after the Dauphine. Maybe these things have an affect. I have always been 100% against doping. I have not done anything dodgy."

Did someone mention beer?

I may have made reference to beer once or twice in the first 45 minutes of our text broadcast, and it seems some of you are thinking along the same lines.

We've just seen our first pictures of Teklehaimanot starting the 2015 Tour, and the 26-year-old has a smile as large as his native Eritrea. It's a proud moment.

The first Brit goes off in just a few minutes time. Ian Stannard of Team Sky begins his race at 13:18. Stannard is the 2012 national road race champion.

It's actually a historic moment for Daniel Teklehaimanot and the Tour de France. The Eritrean is the first black African to take part in the Tour.

Daniel Teklehaimanot has got the Tour de France under way. The Eritrean national champion, riding for South African outfit MTN-Qhubeka, is off the ramp and the rest are coming every minute afterwards.

Are you putting on your polka dots? Laying on the yellow? Looking glamorous in green?

Get in touch throughout the stage by using #bbccycling on Twitter, and give us your predictions, opinions and thoughts.

Stormy weather?

There's mixed reports on the weather in Utrecht, but there is potential for some thunderstorms this afternoon. If it comes, it will probably affect the early starters. Later on it should be bright and sunny.

We're two minutes away from the start of the Tour de France...

Astana controversy

And speaking of the Astana situation, here is the BBC's Matt Slater on Twitter.

Boom in or out?

There has been a bit of controversy surrounding Astana rider Lars Boom this morning.

Boom has tested for low levels of cortisol, which is not a drugs tests failure. But, Astana are signed up to a MPCC (Movement for Credible Cycling) agreement which says riders will sit our the next eight days after such a result.

The UCI have said they cannot replace Bloom, so Astana, according to reports, will disregard the MPCC agreement and start Boom anyway.

It's a fillip for team-mate Vincenzo Nibali, who would have used the Dutchman to help him through the early stages.

Kilometres, euros and mountains

Le Tour in numbers

Geraint Thomas

Team Sky's six-time Tour de France rider

"It's a short but twisty circuit, so that will favour a punchier rider. Germany's time-trial champion Tony Martin has that raw power but I think the course might suit Dutchman Tom Dumoulin a bit better. Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara will be there too, and his form looked to be improving at the recent Tour de Suisse."

Geraint has given us a stage-by-stage breakdown of this year's route. It's top notch and you can read it here.

Cartoon cycling

Britain's Chris Froome had time for a few tweets this morning. A little bit of manga to get you going before the TT...

Today's key times

Here's when a few of the Brits, plus some of the big names, will be setting off today (all times BST):

• 13:32 - Mark Cavendish
• 13:55 - Simon Yates
• 14:00 - Nairo Quintana
• 15:01 - Adam Yates
• 15:25 - Tom Dumoulin
• 15:28 - Alex Dowsett
• 15:44 - Tony Martin
• 15:52 - Geraint Thomas
• 16:03 - Fabian Cancellara
• 16:13 - Alberto Contador
• 16:14 - Chris Froome
• 16:17 - Vincenzo Nibali

What happens today?

Individual time trial: Utrecht - Utrecht, 13.8km (8.57 miles)

It's only 13.8km, but today's individual time trial will have a bearing on where the yellow jersey-chasers sit after a technical and gruelling first week, before they hit the big climbs with regularity.

At 13:00 BST, MTN-Qhubeka's Daniel Teklehaimanot (hopefully I won't have to type that one too many times) will be the first man to launch into the time trial around the city, with another rider setting off every minute afterwards.

Chris Froome goes at 16:14, with champion Vincenzo Nibali the last to go at 16:17.

Britain's Alex Dowsett, who held the hour record until Bradley Wiggins smashed it recently, is a time-trial specialist and is in with a sniff of taking the stage on his Tour debut.

Who are the contenders?

It promises to be a four-way brawl for the yellow jersey, with the contenders being:

• Chris Froome (GB), Team Sky, 2013 Tour winner
• Alberto Contador (Spa), Tinkoff-Saxo, 2007 and 2009 Tour winner
• Vincenzo Nibali (Ita), Astana, reigning Tour champion
• Nairo Quintana (Col), Movistar, Tour runner-up in 2013

The route is being touted as one of the toughest for a while, and the first week could be crucial, combining this time trial, a team time trial, cobbles and a windy coastal affair. Then we get into the undulations of the Pyrenees and the Alps.

This breakdown by BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener and Patrick Jennings is a very good place to get the rundown.

The race for yellow

And so, this is where it begins, the 102nd edition of the Tour de France, with a time trial in the picturesque city of Utrecht in the Netherlands.

The Dutch love getting on a bike, and if there's anything we know about the Netherlands, after tulips, windmills and excellent beer, it's that it's flat as a pancake.

Today's time trial is 13.8km long and gets going at 13:00 BST. On 4 July, after 3,360km of racing, we'll be in Paris, and will know who will be donning the yellow jersey.

Utrecht, Tour de France and beer

All the best things happen in the pub.

Whether it's announcing the scientific discovery behind the structure of life, Ken Barlow punching Mike Baldwin in the Rovers Return, or the beginning of a dream to have the Tour de France start in Utrecht.

Thirteen years ago, Jeroen Wielaert's plan to host the Grand Depart in the Dutch city was merely a design scribbled on the back of a beer mat. Today it becomes reality.

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Etape du Tour 2015 Sportive

19 jul 2015 - saint-jean-de-maurienne.

The Etape du Tour is probably the most famous sportive in the world. Every year around 13,000 lucky riders get the chance to ride a stage of the Tour de France just a few days before the professional riders cover the same route. Always run on one of the rest days of the Tour, the Etape du Tour is run on closed roads and has the same support cars and police outriders as the actual Tour.

The route of the 2015 Etape du Tour was announced on 22 September and is back in the Alps, as expected. It will be held on Sunday 19 July, 2015.

Registration for the 2015 Etape du Tour has now started. Usually there is a huge rush of registrations on the first day (around 6,500 in the first 24 hours is standard) but it is usually not until January that the full 11,000 places sell out. There is a discount for the first 4,000 registrants, so if you want to get in for around 70 euros you need to be at your computer on the opening day.

• 19 Jul 2015 7:00am Up to 142 km (88 miles)
• Tickets Sold Out From 100.00 EUR
• Etape du Tour 2015 Sportive Etape du Tour 2015 Sportive Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne , France 13000 Riders
• Up to 142 km (88 miles)
• From 100.00 EUR
• 13000 Riders

Extra Information

The Etape has become incredibly popular among British riders and in 2013 nearly half of all entrants were from the UK.

One of the hardest choices is to decide whether to go to the Etape as part of an organised group or whether to make your own arrangements. Read our article about travel options - whether to fly or drive to the Etape du Tour . A good travel company may cost a bit more but it can make life an awful lot easier as they pick you up from the airport, organise getting to the start and being picked up from the finish and often have their own feed stations along the Etape route. Check out our guide to Etape du Tour travel operators . However if you plan well in advance and are part of a group of riders you will save a lot of money making your own plans. Read our guide to hotels and accomodation for the 2015 Etape  member that it is very unlikely that you will want to cycle home an extra 30km after finishing the Etape so making sure you are able to get home easily is important.

• Alex Voake's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report
• James Andrew's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report
• Chris Walker's 2014 Etape du Tour ride report

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Tour de France 2015: The Route

Time trials Bad news for the likes of Chris Froome. Just two time trials in the 2015 Tour and they total no more than 42 kilometres. Stage 1 is a 13.7 kilometres individual time trial on a circuit in the streets of Utrecht, whilst stage 9 takes the riders in a team time trial of 28 kilometres on long straight roads from Vannes to Plumenec in Brittany. The finale of the TTT is the 1.7 kilometre climb up the Cote de Cadoudal.

The next day the first rest day welcomes the riders in Pau. Then it’s party time in the Pyrenees.

All in all, climbers are better endowed than time trialists with seven mountain stages and five mountain finishes. In stead of a time trial on the penultimate day, the 2015 Tour de France sees the final battle on the 21 hairpins of L’Alpe d’Huez

Echelons But is all starts in the flatlands of Holland. After the ITT, stage 2 is a completely flat ride to Neeltje Jans on the Dutch coast. But with cross winds sparking echelons it could turn out to be a whole different ball game everyone expected. For instance not a massive bunch sprint, but a group of 50 riders battling for glory after the pack broke in pieces by the winds.

The next day we are in Belgium. The final part of stage 3 goes through the Ardennes to finish atop the Mur de Huy, notorious from La Fleche Wallone and ‘blessed’ with a double-digit gradient. GC men will be fighting for every second, especially since the bonification seconds are back in the Tour in the stages 2 through 8.

Stage 4 sees 13.3 kilometres of cobbles, once again bad news for Chris Froome. Title holder Vincenzo Nibali won’t mind, since he won precious time in last year’s ‘mini Paris-Roubaix’ of La Grande Boucle, whilst his now-teammate Lars Boom took the stage-win.

Stages 5 , stage 6 and stage 7 are in northern France and should fancy the sprinters no matter what. The arrivals are in Amiens, Le Havre and Fougères.

In stage 8 it’s a finish atop of a Wall again, this time at the Mûr de Bretagne. The climb is 2 kilometres, with the first kilometre being steepest with a constant gradient of between 9.5% and 10.1%.

The last day before the first rest day brings the TTT.

Pyreneees Bastille Day sees the first race in Pyrenees and in stage 10 riders head for La Pierre Saint Martin. The ride is mainly on the foothills but the finale brings a 15.3 kilometres climb, kicking in hard with a 8% plus gradient until 10 kilometres up the slopes.

Stage 11 takes the riders to Cauterets after cresting both Col d’Aspin and Col du Tourmalet.

The riders say goodbye to the Pyrenees in stage 12 , leading to Plateau de Beille – a monster in the guise of a 15.8 kilometres climb at 7.9%. The climb is a constant toil wit hno moment to catch your breath. Earlier that day Col de Portet d’Aspet, Col de la Core and Port de Lers are on the menu.

Massif Central The days after the Pyrenees the pack races the Massif Central, an elevated region with over four hundred extinct volcanoes in south-central france. Sprinters with climber’s legs – the Sagans, Matthews’ and Degenkolbs of this world – will have their say in the hilly terrain of stages 13 , whilst puncheurs will be eyeing up stage 14 . Finishing in Mende this one brings the third finish after climbing up a Wall. It’s 3 kilometres climb at an average gradient of 10.1%. Upon cresting it’s 1.7 kilometres to the finish line. Philippe Gilbert, perhaps?

Stage 15 is hilly at first, but closes with a flat section of 50 kilometres that should fancy the sprinters.

When arriving in Gap, as per usual the Tour de France celebrates escapees. Will this be the story in stage 16 again? Thor Hushovd and Rui Costa recently soloed to victory in the town in the foothills of the Alps.

The Alps With stages to Pra Loup, Saint Jean de Maurienne, La Toussuire and the aforementioned L’Alpe d’Huez, the Alps are better represented than the Pyrenees.

Stage 17 brings the riders to 1.620 metres after a string of climbs closed with the Col d’Allos, at an elevation of 2.250 metres, and the ascent to ski-resort Pra Loup. The Allos is a 23.5 kilometres long drag at 4.3%. The downhill is nothing short of spectacular and then it’s up to Pra-Loup, a 9.4 kilometres climb with the final 6 kilometres being the toughest at a 8% grade.

Master piece of stage 18 is the Col du Glandon, a climb of nearly 50 kilometres, whilst the finale is the Lacets de Montvernier climb. With 18 hairpins in only 3.8 kilometres a serious risk to get giddy.

The last two Alpine stages are totaling only 248 kilometres. So that should detonate the fireworks from start to finish with stage 19 in just 138 kilometres and stage 20 in 110 kilometres.

Stage 19 brings the riders over Col de Chaussy, Col de Croix de Fer and Col de Mollard to finish atop at La Toussuire, a 18 kilometres climb at 6.1%.

In the final mountain stage to L’Alpe d’Huez, stage 20 offers GC riders a last chance to fight for a better overall. The decor is the flanks of this heroic 21 hairpins mountain!

Paris! The closing stage to Paris is traditionally a feast for fast men like Cavendish and Kristoff. Riders who appreciate a good cigar are advised to be around Purito.

Tour de France 2015: Images and more

Click on the images to zoom

Very good presentation but I cannot find detailed information for each stage. For instance I will be in the Langogne area but does the route go through this town or where?

Hey Chris, the details information about the different stages will come soon, we are working on it.

L'Étape Las Vegas

L’Étape Las Vegas gives amateur cyclists the legendary Tour de France experience in the legendary city of Las Vegas! Cyclists, from seasoned veterans to beginners, can compete for an authentic Yellow Jersey. Register now for the lowest prices of the year!

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Tour de France returns to Las Vegas with race courses through Red Rock Canyon

Amateur cyclists wanting to get the Tour de France experience will get the chance at L'Etape returns to Las Vegas.

2024 L’Étape Las Vegas Returns with Courses through Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Closed race courses will be featured in 75, 45 and 25-mile routes for amateur cyclists.

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The Colourful History Behind the Tour de France Jerseys

Few events capture the imagination quite like the Tour de France. A spectacle of endurance, strategy, and sheer will, the Tour is also a visual feast, not least because of its iconic jerseys. Each jersey not only signifies a leader in a particular section of the race, but also carries a rich history, symbolised through its distinctive colour or pattern. Let's pedal through the story behind the yellow, polka dot, white, and green jerseys of the Tour de France.

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Cyclisme - Tour des Alpes : Le résumé de la 5e et dernière étape

Découvrez le résumé de la 5e et dernière étape du Tour des Alpes, remportée vendredi par Aurélien Paret-Peintre devant Antonio Tiberi et son frère valentin.

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Liège-Bastogne-Liège : «Le meilleur résultat possible», dit Mathieu Van der Poel

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Troisième sur la Doyenne des classiques, le cycliste néerlandais n’exprimait pas de regret, alors même qu’il a été fortement ralenti par une chute.

Mathieu van der Poel a jugé que sa troisième place était «le meilleur résultat» qu'il pouvait «espérer» dimanche à Liège-Bastogne-Liège où le Néerlandais estime qu'il n'y avait rien à faire contre un Tadej Pogacar aussi impressionnant.

«C'est un super résultat. Je suis réaliste. Lorsque Pogacar est dans un bon jour, je ne peux pas le suivre, même avec mes meilleures jambes. Il était impressionnant encore aujourd'hui. Il n'y a pas de honte à avoir, chacun ces courses» , a commenté le Néerlandais, vainqueur du Tour des Flandres et de Paris-Roubaix cette année. «Ma saison de classiques était déjà réussie. Il y a des meilleurs grimpeurs que moi, ça ne veut pas dire que je ne gagnerai jamais cette course. Mais ça restera toujours une mission très compliquée» , a ajouté le champion du monde, plus lourd que les purs grimpeurs.

J'ai dû fournir de gros efforts pour revenir. J'étais content de recoller mais les jambes tiraient déjà un peu. Mathieu van der Poel

Interrogé sur la possibilité de changer sa préparation pour cibler spécifiquement la Doyenne, quitte à sacrifier les autres classiques, il a répondu que ce ne serait pas pour tout de suite. «C'est une option mais je me concentre d'abord sur les courses qui me conviennent le mieux, le Tour des Flandres et Roubaix. Tout changer pour avoir une chance de gagner Liège, ce ne sera pas pour les années qui viennent» , a-t-il dit. Dimanche, il a été ralenti par une chute devant lui qui l'a obligé à fournir un gros effort. «J'étais à l'arrière du peloton car j'étais en train de me débarrasser de mes jambières et de vêtements. C'est alors que la route a été bloquée par la chute. J'ai dû fournir de gros efforts pour revenir. J'étais content de recoller mais les jambes tiraient déjà un peu.»

Place aux JO de Paris désormais

Van der Poel, qui dit avoir «peut-être sous-estimé la décompression après Roubaix» , était ravi de partir désormais en vacances, à Dubaï. Il réfléchira ensuite à la suite de sa saison et notamment quels seront ses plans pour les Jeux Olympiques de Paris où il pourrait cumuler VTT et route, même si ça ne semble pas être la tendance. «J'aime toujours le VTT mais je n'ai pas forcément envie de courir deux lièvres à la fois et de tout perdre. On verra, je ne sais pas encore» , a-t-il indiqué, laissant entendre qu'il pourrait se concentrer sur la route à Paris.

Liège-Bastogne-Liège : Pogacar supérieur, Bardet héroïque, une chute malvenue... Nos tops et nos flops

• Liège-Bastogne-Liège : impérial, Pogacar s’adjuge un sixième Monument, Bardet 2e

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Ce dimanche, «La Doyenne des Classiques» édition 2024 est au programme. Un duel épique est attendu entre Van der Poel et Pogacar.

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