Share

Racing

Tour de France 2014: stage 16 – five observations

Michael Rogers' comeback continues, Vasil Kiryienka lifts Sky spirits and Michal Kwiatkowski marches back into the top ten

We have seen little of Thomas Voeckler since his day in the break on stage four, when the Tour hit France for the first time, but the gurning Frenchman was back on top form on a stage he has made his own in recent years.

Twice a winner on the descent of the Port de Bales, the Team Europcar man stood on the brink of a third stage win in Bagneres-de-Luchon.

It was no surprise to see Thomas Voeckler, twice a stage winner in Bagneres-de-Luchon, in the day’s break (Pic: Sirotti)

And when first Kevin Reza, and then a series of accelerations by Voeckler, blew the break apart it looked to be Europcar in the driving seat as well.

With Voeckler and Cyril Gautier occupying two-fifths of the lead group on the rapid descent, it was his to lose on what has become almost a home road for the French favourite.

Sending Gautier up the road, however, proved to be a mistake – with Voeckler unwilling to chase down his team-mate and Gautier not having the legs to stay out, their race fell apart.

Nevertheless, Voeckler has once again – after a relatively quiet Tour – proved he can be in the mix. Expect more in the final few stages.

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production