Refresh

2021-07-04T13:58:41.407 Z.
UAE will not be overly stressed by OConnor out front, but other teams might begin to see a risk to their podium positions/top-fives/top 10s. As I said, however, nobody seems have huge numbers to introduce a proper chase..

2021-07-04T13:56:48.520 Z.
UAE continue to address those questioning their collective strength. They still have 5 riders with Pogacar in this primary peloton, and few other groups boast those numbers. Things are under control in the meantime.

2021-07-04T13:53:59.060 Z.
After Alaphilippe chose to slope, the riders in that primary chasing breakaway group are: G.Martin, Perez, Barguil, Cattaneo, Konrad, Guerreiro, Colbrelli, Poels..

2021-07-04T13:51:54.252 Z.
Over at the Giro Donne, Marianne Vos has actually simply won stage 3. Click here for our report.

2021-07-04T13:50:52.705 Z.
As the gap rises to 8:30, OConnor is now the virtual leader of the Tour de France.

2021-07-04T13:50:09.127 Z.
Quintana strips off, getting a brand-new jersey and now placing on a rain cape. Its been another day of consistent rain..

2021-07-04T13:49:37.217 Z.
56.5 km to goWoods is already a minute down, and looks to be out of this. The next chase group with Guillaume Martin is at 2:45, and the main peloton is at 8:25.

2021-07-04T13:48:48.841 Z.
This is a category-2 climb, determining 5.7 km at 6.5%.

2021-07-04T13:48:03.315 Z.
OConnor and Quintana capture back up with Higuita just as the Cormet de Roselend climb starts.

2021-07-04T13:46:15.158 Z.
OConnor is back with the Colombians but Higuita alleviates away and the Australian waves his arm in remonstration at Quintana, who he clearly feels ought to be helping out.

2021-07-04T13:45:14.760 Z.
Alaphilippe has stopped to get some new layers on.

2021-07-04T13:44:20.756 Z.
Woods has actually been dropped and OConnor is trying to chase after Quintana and Higuita. In these wet conditions, coming down is a key part of the battle for phase honours today. The surface is uphill but, even if Woods makes it back, hell have had to make those additional efforts that may end up counting against him.

2021-07-04T13:42:39.597 Z.
Hirschi takes over from Bjerg (whos still up there) in the primary peloton. Theyve upped the group and the strength has actually diminished substantially, but theyre not acquiring time on the leaders. 8 minutes is the gap now with 60km to go.

2021-07-04T13:41:12.976 Z.
Higuita is looking really excellent going downhill and hes made his method over to Quintana..

2021-07-04T13:40:38.422 Z.
Anthony Perez is working for Guillaume Martin in the next breakaway group, and theyre nearly up with Poels as they head over the top 2:23 behind the front of the race.

2021-07-04T13:39:00.835 Z.
63km to goOConnor nips ahead of Woods for this descent, having actually discovered the lesson from the previous one. Its only a brief dip downhill and after that well be onto the Cormet de Roselend..

2021-07-04T13:37:44.891 Z.
Higuita leads OConnor and Woods over the leading numerous seconds later on.

2021-07-04T13:37:25.844 Z.
Quintana reaches the top and assists himself to 20 mountains points – an abundant benefit on the very first HC climb of the Tour.

2021-07-04T13:35:45.560 Z.
Quintana keeps increasing from the saddle as he moves further clear. Hes had a rough time considering that his crash at last years Tour, and is currently well down on GC, however hes looking excellent today.

2021-07-04T13:33:20.277 Z.
Woods sets off in pursuit however cant get on terms. Quintana is breezing away here.

2021-07-04T13:32:34.140 Z.
Quintana kicks once again.

2021-07-04T13:31:58.648 Z.
Accelerations up front as they head into the last 2km of the Col du Pré. Woods raises the pace before Quintana releases a sharper injection of rate.

2021-07-04T13:29:17.160 Z.
Weve got an update on Lachlan Mortons progress in his solo alt Tour de France. Hes nearing the half-way mark and heading for Mont Ventoux. Heres the story..

2021-07-04T13:28:06.753 Z.
Richie Porte is dropped once again from the primary peloton. He remained in difficulty previously on and appears to be struggling today, so will be of no help to Carapaz.

2021-07-04T13:26:03.061 Z.
Hamilton dropped from the front of the race.

2021-07-04T13:25:51.918 Z.
UAE have certainly upped the pace here. The gap max-ed out at 7:30 but it has stabilised now..

2021-07-04T13:25:04.398 Z.
Van Aert did a big trip in the mountains the other day to hold on to 2nd location, and he began the day 1:48 behind Pogacar however 3 minutes up on everybody else..

2021-07-04T13:24:05.004 Z.
The Belgian champion is second general and some have actually even spoken about him as a possible GC competitor. He seems putting an end to that as he waves goodbye to the electronic camera.

2021-07-04T13:23:12.642 Z.
Van Aert losing contact now!

2021-07-04T13:22:53.801 Z.
Mikkel Bjerg takes over from Stake Laengen at the head of the lot.

2021-07-04T13:21:57.498 Z.
The rain continues to boil down and the mountain is shrouded in mist. Were going up to 1750 metres and will be heading even more approximately the Cormet de Roselend.

2021-07-04T13:19:57.062 Z.
Nans Peters and Tim Merlier have abandoned the race.

2021-07-04T13:18:38.486 Z.
Poels is dropped once again.

2021-07-04T13:15:10.714 Z.
70kmVegard Stake Laengen is on the front for UAE. Hes their big flatland workhorse which reveals that its a consistent pace in the primary peloton, which is still big..

2021-07-04T13:12:45.699 Z.
OConnor started the day 8:13 down on Pogacar but just 3 down on many of the GC riders. Any space will come down as soon as the yellow jersey group hits the final climb but, after wasting time in crashes in the opening days, he might be set to put himself right back in the mix. Still, a long way to go and lots of variables – not least how OConnor holds up on whats an extremely requiring phase..

2021-07-04T13:09:23.629 Z.
Poels is back. 6 in the lead when more.

2021-07-04T13:08:44.136 Z.
Meanwhile the peloton is at 7 minutes now. Nevermind the phase win, there are also GC implications for this break. OConnor is now practically 2nd overall …

2021-07-04T13:07:54.093 Z.
The bigger breakaway group is slipping back, at two minutes now.

2021-07-04T13:07:37.661 Z.
Woods reaches the leaders, so thats 5 out front now, with Higuita, Quintana, OConnor, and Hamilton. Poels is still going after and isnt too far back..

2021-07-04T13:06:46.868 Z.
UAE might choose they desire the phase win but in the race for yellow they dont need to do excessive. Its up to their rivals to make the moves, and its going to take something pretty magnificent. Therell be a great deal of head-scratching after yesterday and you pick up – given the conditions here and the attritional nature of this first week as an entire – numerous will merely be happy to make it to the rest day, take stock, and reset for week 2.

2021-07-04T13:05:00.880 Z.
This climb will be crucial to the breakaways possibilities of phase triumph. The final climb is high however its also a steady slog of a climb that would match a mountain train and be tough work for a solo rider trying to hang on.

2021-07-04T12:59:47.816 Z.
Woods leaves Poels behind on the lower slopes.

2021-07-04T12:59:33.767 Z.
The Col du Pré starts. This is our very first Hors-Catégorie climb of the Tour. It measures 12.6 km at an average gradient of 7.7%. Theres a big haul of 20 points for the first rider to the top.

2021-07-04T12:57:34.745 Z.
The peloton is at 6:15.

2021-07-04T12:55:17.844 Z.
Around 20 riders remain in the next breakaway group on the road, at 1:10. Alaphilippe, Kuss, and Guillaume Martin are there.

2021-07-04T12:54:25.223 Z.
78km to goTheyre onto the valley road now and Poels and Woods have actually been put on the back foot.

2021-07-04T12:53:22.180 Z.
Poels and Woods are the weaker descenders here and theyre lagging. Hamilton and Higuita look strong and theyre with Quintana as the road plateaus. OConnor is trying to get throughout, and he does so.

2021-07-04T12:52:21.732 Z.
Higuita drags his method over to Quintana. Little spaces because group as they continue down this soaking wet descent.

2021-07-04T12:49:14.285 Z.
When it comes to the rest of the breakaway, theyre all at least a minute down.

2021-07-04T12:47:40.762 Z.
Woods, OConnor, Higuita, and Hamilton capture Poels on the descent. Theyre 15 seconds behind Quintana.

2021-07-04T12:43:33.756 Z.
Here are the brand-new mountains classification standings. 1. Poels – 33 2. Woods – 293. Quintana – 24.

2021-07-04T12:42:31.186 Z.
The peloton arrives of the Col des Saisies, 6:05 behind the front of the race.

2021-07-04T12:42:07.916 Z.
Hamilton has overtaken the chase group over the top, so hes now with OConnor, Woods, and Higuita..

2021-07-04T12:41:30.332 Z.
Confirmation that Poels was first to the top and gathers the maximum 10 indicate extend his lead in the mountains classification.

2021-07-04T12:40:56.545 Z.
Quintana drops Poels on the damp descent.

2021-07-04T12:36:42.561 Z.
It appears like Poels practically held on there to take the optimum haul of points atop the Col des Saisies..

2021-07-04T12:36:10.384 Z.
Quintana reaches Poels in sight of the top and … bike throws and a picture finish!

2021-07-04T12:35:17.619 Z.
Quintana attacks and pursues Poels..

2021-07-04T12:33:14.090 Z.
UAE have their whole group on the front of the main peloton at 5 minutes back.

2021-07-04T12:31:56.814 Z.
Poels is 2km shy of the top and he hits that plateau, which really dips downhill. Hes 12 seconds up on that four-man chase group..

2021-07-04T12:31:03.953 Z.
Woods, OConnor, Quintana, and Higuita move clear now however Poels is still up the road.

2021-07-04T12:26:58.314 Z.
The riders in pursuit of Poels are Fraile, Martin, OConnor, Kuss, Cattaneo, Quintana, Hamilton, Woods, Guerreiro, Higuita.

2021-07-04T12:23:44.814 Z.
A selection process in the break now on the Saisies. 11 riders sign up with forces in pursuit of Poels.

2021-07-04T12:22:34.724 Z.
Heres the complete listSepp Kuss (Jumbo-Visma), Dylan van Baarle (Ineos Grenadiers), Dan Martin, Michael Woods (Israel Start-Up Nation), Julien Bernard, Kenny Elissonde, Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Julian Alaphilippe, Kasper Asgreen, Mattia Cattaneo (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Patrick Konrad, Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe), Guillaume Martin, Simon Geschke, Anthony Pérez (Cofidis), Ruben Guerreiro, Sergio Higuita (EF Education-Nippo), Ben OConnor (Ag2r-Citröen), Warren Barguil, Élie Gesbert, Nairo Quintana (Arkéa-Samsic), Harry Sweeny (Lotto-Soudal), Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ), Matej Mohoric, Wout Poels, Dylan Teuns, Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain Victorious), Lucas Hamilton, Luka Mezgec, Chris Juul Jensen, Michael Matthews (BikeExchange), Jakob Fuglsang, Alex Aranburu, Omar Fraile (Astana-PremierTech), Pierre Latour, Víctor de la Parte, Fabien Doubey (TotalEnergies), Louis Meintjes (Intermarché-Wanty Gobert), Franck Bonnamour, Quentin Pacher, Pierre Rolland (B&B Hotels-KTM).

2021-07-04T12:22:05.632 Z.
Ben OConnor is also in there – 14th at 8:13.

2021-07-04T12:21:28.378 Z.
Poels is out for the mountains points but hes not up until now down on GC – 15th at 8:51. In terms of the other GC threats in this move, Guillaume Martin appears to be finest put overall – 12th at 7:28. Those spaces are to Pogacar, and it needs to be born in mind that the majority of the primary GC competitors are themselves at 5 minutes.

2021-07-04T12:19:18.496 Z.
The Dutchman zips through as the leaders come back, and hes away.

2021-07-04T12:18:49.569 Z.
Poels attacks now!

2021-07-04T12:17:18.726 Z.
Ruben Guerreiro attacks to make it over to that trio..

2021-07-04T12:15:17.968 Z.
Those three trip away. There are some 40 riders in the primary relocation behind them, with the GC peloton at 2:50..

2021-07-04T12:14:08.069 Z.
Woods pursues Quintana. Omar Fraile is up there too. He was incredible the other day, doing the operate in the primary group of GC favourites, where Alexey Lutsenko managed to hang on to transfer to third general..

2021-07-04T12:12:54.924 Z.
This climb is 9.4 km long with an average gradient of 6.2 percent, mitigated by a couple of plateaus.

2021-07-04T12:12:15.523 Z.
The Col des Saisies starts and Quintana attacks..

2021-07-04T12:11:54.577 Z.
Warren Barguil makes clear to Colbrelli on a short downhill ahead of the Saisies, and the rest of the group is coming back too.

2021-07-04T12:08:27.551 Z.
Colbrelli attacks! There are no more intermediate sprints however the Italian champion is in kind and hes away.

2021-07-04T12:06:57.836 Z.
The lead Alaphilippe-Colbrelli-Matthews group has actually been captured by that bigger breakaway group. Were nearing the start of the Col des Saisies.

2021-07-04T12:06:08.670 Z.
Here are the brand-new points category standings after that sprint1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Deceuninck-QuickStep 1682 Michael Matthews (Aus) Team BikeExchange 1303 Jasper Philipsen (Bel) Alpecin-Fenix 1024 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Team Arkea-Samsic 995 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bahrain Victorious 96.

2021-07-04T12:01:52.087 Z.
110km to goThat lead group is followed 25 seconds later on by a large breakaway of around 30 riders that has formed. UAE are marshalling the primary peloton at 1:15.

2021-07-04T12:00:10.475 Z.
Colbrelli and Matthews open up. Colbrelli takes it.

2021-07-04T11:59:43.096 Z.
Yesterdays winner Dylan Teuns made clear with Colbrelli, along with Stefan Kung. Here comes the sprint.

2021-07-04T11:58:26.558 Z.
Movistars leader is back on his feet. We didnt see it but he appears to have moved out on a downhill bend. Mas began the day 8th general, well in the primary GC mix (omitting Pogacar naturally).

2021-07-04T11:57:19.760 Z.
Crash. Its Enric Mas.

2021-07-04T11:57:10.876 Z.
Colbrelli is going across in a little group.

2021-07-04T11:56:19.024 Z.
Juul-Jensen is going so hard he requires a three-man split, with Matthews and Alaphilippe.

2021-07-04T11:53:53.599 Z.
He doesnt last long as that larger chase group comes back. Matthews exists and his colleague Chris Juul-Jensen is setting speed for him.

2021-07-04T11:53:08.423 Z.
Higuita attacks.

2021-07-04T11:52:16.248 Z.
The three leaders are joined by a Total rider as Alaphilippe begins a new age of attacks behind. Another small group is discovering..

2021-07-04T11:50:08.727 Z.
Colbrelli has been signed up with by Anthony Perez and Sergio Higuita.

2021-07-04T11:49:15.085 Z.
Geraint Thomas has been dropped again and, more surprisingly, Richie Porte has lost contact too. A miserable Tour up until now for Ineos.

2021-07-04T11:47:33.831 Z.
They catch Martin and Latour, and now Colbrelli attacks.

2021-07-04T11:47:05.314 Z.
Colbrelli is there in this Alaphilippe relocation, as is Wout Poels in the polka-dots after his ride yesterday.

2021-07-04T11:46:36.633 Z.
Alaphilippe attacks again behind..

2021-07-04T11:45:53.455 Z.
Latour continues his effort as the roadway continues to increase, and hes signed up with by Dan Martin.

2021-07-04T11:41:02.744 Z.
Nairo Quintana was likewise up there searching for the points, showing that hell likewise remain in the hunt for the dots.

2021-07-04T11:40:29.868 Z.
Latour had a surprise yesterday and was going after throughout the day. He d had a dynamic start to the Tour and was up there on GC today needs to take a look at other alternatives, and the polka-dot jersey appears to be one of them..

2021-07-04T11:39:43.990 Z.
Pierre Latour attacks. He runs to pip Sweeny to the top of the reach take optimum mountains points.

2021-07-04T11:38:32.808 Z.
Ballerini and Sweeny are just a few seconds ahead of this advancing lot now.

2021-07-04T11:37:22.991 Z.
The move is snuffed out. The peloton is fragmenting now. Cavendish is dropped.

2021-07-04T11:36:54.668 Z.
Patrick Konrad makes clear to make it four.

2021-07-04T11:35:52.085 Z.
Bauke Mollema and Michael Woods pursue Alaphilippe.

2021-07-04T11:35:31.286 Z.
The world champion fell out of the GC photo the other day so has the liberty to go into breakaways from here on.

2021-07-04T11:35:01.770 Z.
Alaphilippe attacks!

2021-07-04T11:33:59.785 Z.
Ballerini drops Sweeny on the climb.

2021-07-04T11:33:41.672 Z.
BikeExchange concern the front of the lot now as they handle the climb. Thatll be because we have an intermediate sprint coming up beyond Mégève, at kilometre-32. Michael Matthews will elegant getting some points there. Sonny Colbrelli can likewise expect to survive this climb and theyll wish to distance Mark Cavendish.

2021-07-04T11:32:06.285 Z.
127km to goBallerini and Sweeny struck the Côte de Domancy.

2021-07-04T11:31:26.042 Z.
Israel are still setting the speed. They are not playing this cool at all. Michael Woods came close the other day – possibly today is the turn of Dan Martin.

2021-07-04T11:31:06.628 Z.
Ballerini and Sweeny move out to 45 seconds.

2021-07-04T11:29:50.346 Z.
After it, the roadway continues to increase to Mégève prior to a short dip down ahead of the huge climbing difficulties. Come the Col des Saisies, Col du Pré, and Cormet de Roselend before a longer descent and then the long road up to Tignes.

2021-07-04T11:27:24.045 Z.
The Côte de Domancy is only 2.5 km long however averages 9.4%. It discovered popularity during the 1980 World Championships, where Bernard Hinault won on house soil.

2021-07-04T11:21:45.327 Z.
The set are 20 seconds clear as Israel continue to manage the peloton.

2021-07-04T11:19:16.840 Z.
Its Davide Ballerini for Deceuninck-QuickStep and Harry Sweeny for Lotto Soudal.

2021-07-04T11:17:32.954 Z.
Another attack with one each from QuickStep and Lotto..

2021-07-04T11:17:14.372 Z.
They are both brought to heel now.

2021-07-04T11:15:35.627 Z.
The Frenchman seems sitting up and waiting now, however here comes a counter-attack.

2021-07-04T11:15:11.874 Z.
Cosnefroy examines his shoulder and sees a bunched peloton..

2021-07-04T11:14:13.045 Z.
We do get an attack now. Its Benoit Cosnefroy, the AG2R puncheur.

2021-07-04T11:13:53.120 Z.
We have a flat preamble of simply under 20km ahead of the very first climb of the day – the steep however short Côte de Domancy. Thats where we ought to see the real defend the break.

2021-07-04T11:12:37.539 Z.
Andre Greipel is on the front, setting pace in a bit of an Israel train. Funny start this..

2021-07-04T11:11:35.261 Z.
Israel Start-Up Nation country to the front but no attacks.

2021-07-04T11:10:42.178 Z.
Were off!

2021-07-04T11:08:33.917 Z.
Dont understand why I stated there was one non-starter, and one considerable one … There are 2 with Jumbo-Visma verifying earlier on that Primoz Roglic will not continue. Heres the complete story on that.

2021-07-04T11:06:04.403 Z.
& #x 1f601; Smiles in Cluses @MarkCavendish & #x 1f601; Des sourires à Cluses #TDF 2021 pic.twitter.com/jC8oGIOn42July 4, 2021See more.

2021-07-04T11:04:14.324 Z.
Were on the relocation. A brief neutral zone and after that were racing, and it must be another fast and furious start..

2021-07-04T10:50:06.742 Z.
Heres our story on Van der PoelMathieu van der Poel abandons Tour de France to concentrate on Tokyo Olympic Games.

2021-07-04T10:43:49.187 Z.
One non-starter today and its a significant one: Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix). He yielded the maillot jaune yesterday after a remarkable stint in yellow following his stage win at Mur-de-Bretagne. This was his first Tour and he was constantly most likely to leave early to get ready for his seasons major objective: the mtb gold medal at the Olympics.

2021-07-04T10:41:40.099 Z.
Its been a vintage very first week to this Tour but, despite the newest phenomenon provided by Pogacar the other day, you cant assist feel it has actually eliminated this Tour de France as a contest. Where do his rivals – and the race – go from here? Well begin to get some answers today.

2021-07-04T10:35:26.637 Z.
Before we get going, why not capture up on the other days action? Dylan Teuns won the very first mountain stage however it will be kept in mind for the exploits of Tadej Pogacar, who squashed his competitors with an astonishing long-range attack. Stage 8: Report, results, photos.

2021-07-04T10:33:19.478 Z.
The roll-out is turning up on the hour, at 1pm regional time, and the start appropriate around 10 minutes after that..

2021-07-04T10:31:49.532 Z.
Were in Cluses, where the skies are leaden and some light rain has actually been falling. It looks like more of the exact same after the other days wet trip, which will produce a draining pipes day in the saddle and have a great deal of riders craving that day of rest.( Image credit: AG2R Citroen Team).

2021-07-04T10:26:06.324 Z.
Bonjour. Its the morning after the night prior to and therell be a few aching heads in the peloton after yesterdays occasions. However we go once again, much deeper into the Alps with another brief route that ramps the climbing to the tune of 4500 metres. Were heading for our first summit finish of the Tour, up at high-altitude at Tignes, to end what has actually so far been a magnificent first week of the 2021 Tour de France..

2021-07-04T11:58:26.558 Z.
Movistars leader is back on his feet. 2021-07-04T11:33:41.672 Z.
BikeExchange come to the front of the bunch now as they take on the climb. 2021-07-04T11:31:26.042 Z.
Israel are still setting the paceRate 2021-07-04T10:41:40.099 Z.
Its been a vintage first very first to this Tour butHowever despite regardless of latest spectacle phenomenon provided Pogacar yesterday, you cant help feel it has killed this Tour trip France as a contest. 2021-07-04T10:26:06.324 Z.
Bonjour.