Anyway, that’s about us. Here’s your stage report – we’ll be back on Tuesday, after tomorrow’s rest day.
Tour de France 2019: Simon Yates wins stage 15 as Alaphilippe loses time – as it happened
This article is more than 4 years old
Simon Yates wins stage 15, as Geraint Thomas takes 37 seconds out of Julian Alaphilippe’s lead; the gap now stands at 1m 35s.
Updated
Sun 21 Jul 2019 11.25 EDT
First published on Sun 21 Jul 2019 05.54 EDT
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Wiggins reckons Thomas is in position to win the thing from here, but also that Ineos need to sort their tactics out.
A Sunday jaunt, Alaphilippe-style.
Simon Yates gets his stage-winner’s medal. He looks pretty chuffed with life.
Pinot is something, isn’t he? You could power a small town off his intensity.
Thomas has taken 37 seconds out of Alaphilippe today, which isn’t bad. Thinking again, I think he might’ve gone earlier because he had something left at the end; he can win from here, but it’ll take a colossal effort.
Geraint Thomas says he felt better than yesterday and needed to pace it when it all kicked off. He says he got stuck behind Alaphilippe and had the legs to do more – he’s relieved there’s something in them. He agrees that Pinot is doing well and a danger, then notes that it’s a mental game – everyone’s tired, everyone’s suffering. He can’t decide if he should’ve gone earlier, but is looking forward to the rest day.
And our overall top 10...
New GC #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/HeHvuXHJuj
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) July 21, 2019
Our top 10...
Top-10 on Stage 15 #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/qFUMQ630X0
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) July 21, 2019
So Alaphilippe retains the maillot jaune; by how much is still to be confirmed.
Alaphilippe rinses to the line, he’s absolutely devastated himself, and I think Thomas takes 30 seconds off him! There’s a lot to do here yet!
Now here comes Thomas driving for the line!
Pinot finishes 31 seconds or so behind Yates, Landa just behind him.
Simon Yates wins stage 15 of the Tour de France!
That’s his second-ever stage win.
Yates relaxes now, hands off the handlebars...
Pinot can’t get to Yates! He’s nearly home!
It’s caning it down with rain now, and Thomas bangs it out as Alaphilippe looks to fight back! 639m to go!
Thomas powers past Alaphilippe! How much time can he put between them?
Thomas goes! Can he get to Alaphilippe?
2.1km to go, the yellow jersey group 2.09 off the lead. Pinot is the only man who can stop Yates now, but there’s so much work to do and so little time in which to do it.
Thomas’ tongue hangs out while Alaphilippe weaves from side to side! He is absolutely did.
This climb at the end of the stage is sadistic genius. Pinot is going like the absolute clappers, while Yates calmly maintains, looking for his second stage victory. Now back to Pinot, who’s fighting to find Landa!
Surely Thomas will go for it soon. He can’t fall further behind if he’s got plans to retain his title.
3.7km to go; this is brilliant stuff, and Pinot keeps hammering away! Bernal doesn’t look to have much left!
Landa is struggling to make an impression on Yates, who looks good for the stage win. Thomas still allows Alaphilippe to lead him, or does he have nothing left? Pinot digs again, but Bernal goes with him!
Thomas holds on because he senses Alaphilippe doesn’t have much left. But then Alaphilippe goes again! This is hideous!
Alaphilippe looks like he might extend his lead tonight, going with Pinot. Can Thomas find something? Pinot follows Bernal, and Alaphilippe can’t respond!
Alaphilippe has found something alright! He’s beginning to look like champion! Landa is 1.06 down on Yates with 5.6km to go.
Landa, 1.05 behind Yates, is about to catch Geschke! Yates looks really strong, though, so it’ll take a major effort to catch him. And Pinot goes! Alaphilippe goes too, moving past Thomas!
David Guadu is setting a ferocious pace now, and it’s hurting pretty much everyone who isn’t him! 6.3km to go!
Alaphilippe is suffering! Pinot looks in much better nick, and Thomas is looking a little stronger!
Pinot is getting ready! Thomas is up with Alaphilippe!
“Two things,” says Matt Dony. “First; Back To The Future is clearly a wonderful film, but it’s no Grosse Point Blank. Second; I think it was David Sedaris who did an excellent piece on people saying foreign words with an accent. He talked about how one of his lecturers would always ostentatiously pronounce Nicaragua as ‘Nee-Har-Rah-Wah’, and used that as a shorthand for other flamboyant attempts at accents. For example, some football commentators throw themselves into ‘Nee-Har-Rah-Wahn’ French when naming the clubs in Ligue Uuuuhn. Also, as a Welshman, obviously I look out for Geraint Thomas’ name in TdF coverage. In this regard, Thomas de Gent is a frustrating distraction that always catches the eye. Too many shared letters. Shouldn’t be allowed.”
I do enjoy a good “Braseew.”
The state of the kippers as they power up this climb. 8km to go, and Alaphilippe is still with the yellow jersey group.
The leaders are 1.26 ahead of the pursuers, 2.33 ahead of the yellow jersey group, and EXCUSE ME WHILE I INTERRUPT MYSELF! Simon Yates goes!
Landa is up with Quintana and passes him! 9.2km left!