Brave solo digs off the front of the bunch can be the stuff of legend in cycling, making heroes overnight.
Last year, Jan Bakelants earned his place in folklore with his audacious escape into the yellow jersey on stage two of the Tour while Tony Martin’s near-miss at the Vuelta a Espana will live just as long in the memory.
Jack Bauer (Garmin-Sharp), too, suffered the agony of a near miss on stage 15 as he was caught by the bunch with just 25 metres left to the finish line.
But the New Zealander, who did not even have the combativity award as a consolation – that going to his former breakaway companion Martin Elmiger (IAM Cycling) – has at least significantly enhanced his fan base.
Relive the enthralling conclusion to the stage in the full-width gallery of UCI WorldTour photographer Stefano Sirotti’s images below.
