Stage 14: Tour de France Summary

Stage 14 of the Tour de France was demanding in the Pyrenees. There were four climbs on this stage, including two beyond classification climbs. Stage 14 had over 16,000 kilometers of climbing. It rained as well, which was likely welcomed.

The biggest news of stage 14 was that No. 3 overall and white jersey wearer Remco Evenepoel abandoned the Tour. Three riders abandoned the Tour during the stage. Both of the climbs beyond categorization are famous. The breakaway had, among others, Lenny Martinez, who was aiming to take the polka dot jersey, like his grandfather. Can anyone stop Tadej Pogacar?

Stage 14 Tour de France Summary

The big news of stage 14, which was the most difficult of the Tour de France, was the abandonment of the rider placed third in the overall classification, Evenepoel. He will not win the white jersey, though he was wearing it at the time of his abandonment. He was one of three riders who abandoned the tour during the stage.

The finish of the race was so high that it was in the clouds. The winner of stage 14 was Thymen Arensman. This was a good win for the Inos team, which had not won a stage in this year’s tour. Pogacar finished second. Jonas Vingegaard finished third. Though he was out-sprinted by Pogacar at the finish, Vingegaard rode well. Felix Gall was fouth. Florian Lipowitz was fifth. 

Pogacar used the time bonuses he gained in out-sprinting Vingegaard to the finish. Everyone who was below Evenepoel gained a spot in the overall classification due his abandonment. In the overall classification after stage 14 with Pogacar gaining a small time bonus was still in first, who is in second? Vingegaard was pleased with his day, but still lost a bit more time. He was now 4:13 back. 

Lipowitz was now barely in third place, 7:53 back. He benefitted the most from the abandonment of Evenepoel and is now on the podium and in the white jersey. British youngster Oscar Onley was in fourth place, 9:18 back. Frenchman Kevin Vauquelin was in fifth place, 10:21 back. 

The Col du Tourmalet

Col du Tourmalet, at an elevation of 6,939 feet, is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the French Pyrenees. There is some debate as to whether ascending the hill is easier on the west or the east side. The Col du Tourmalet is one of the most famous climbs on the Tour de France.

It has been included more than any other pass, starting in 1910, when the Pyrenees were introduced. Up to 2020, the Tour has visited the Col du Tourmalet a total of eighty-seven times, and it has been a stage finish four times.

The Superbagnères Ski Resort

Superbagnères is a ski resort in the French Pyrénées region. Today was the 17th time the Tour de France had finished at Superbagnères. The demanding climb has an average gradient of 6.3%, with the summit being at 1800 m above sea level. There are several short stretches in excess of 10%.

Conclusion

Stage 14 is one of the very demanding four beyond classification mountain finishes in this Tour. Stage 14 was probably the most difficult stage of the Tour. Vingegaard said this stage was the most difficult he had ever ridden in the Tour. If he thought about it, he would probably say this stage was the most difficult he had ever ridden in his professional career.

Tomorrow is a relatively flat day by comparison to this one. Stage 15 is a 169.3 kilometer trek from Muret to Carcassonne. There are three climbs on this stage, two category threes and a category 2. After this stage, the riders have a much-needed rest day.