“The thing I like about his performance is he might as well be riding in the Otley Crit (erium)”, Brailsford said. “I was certain I would finish second”.
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Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday’s rest day, Yates said: “I wouldn’t say I’m excited”.
“It’s horrific”, Froome said. “I just thought about following others”.
A supporter of Colombia’s Nairo Quintana holds the Colombian flag as riders arrive for the start of the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 160 kilometers (99.4 miles) with start in Bourg-en-Bresse and finish in Culoz, France, Sunday, July 17, 2016.
Norwegian Sondre Holst Enger (IAM Cycling) took third place, while Matthews was fifth behind John Degenkolb of Germany.
Sagan summoned one last burst at the climax of the 209-kilometre route from Moirans-en-Montagne to Berne and the Tinkoff rider was rewarded when he got the verdict following a photo finish.
Sagan is a specialist at stages like this, which suit his unique blend of characteristics: He’s a punchy cyclist able to ride strong over short climbs, and a top sprinter.
The Team Sky head, Sir Dave Brailsford, added that he felt there had been more climbing on what purported to be flat stages, which had taken people by surprise.
“I believe that Froome and his rivals are more or less on the same level in the mountains this year”, Unzue said.
Both in 2013 and 2015 when finishing second overall to Froome, he gave away time over the first two weeks before fighting back in the final part of the race.
Froome leads the Tour by one minute 47 seconds to Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) with Yates two minutes 45 seconds behind his compatriot.
Fans, officials and riders observed a minute’s silence shortly before the start of the race, in memory of the victims of the Bastille Day attack in Nice. It was the third of three days of national mourning in France following the Bastille Day attack.
The stage was the flawless tribute to Swiss standout Fabian Cancellara, who is from Bern.
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He vowed never to voluntarily leave the Tour early again, but now he has, demonstrating his desire for Olympic glory. Cavendish sitting out the final stage on the Champs-Élysées means he will not contest the stage in Paris where he won four years in a row between 2009 and 2012.
