Julian Alaphilippe took another impressive victory on a nervous 16th stage of the Tour de France from Carcassonne to Bagnères-de-Luchon which was peppered with road incidents and three hard climbs. The French rider has increased his lead in the mountain classifications, with just two tough stages left between here and Paris.
“Today it was a really crazy day. I had pain in the legs, but I don’t think I was the only one suffering. I knew the finale, with the climb and the downhill, but I still can’t believe that I won again. Taking two victories, one in the Alps and another one in the Pyrenees, is mind-blowing, I will never forget this day”, an elated Alaphilippe said after the stage.
Attacks came thick and fast in the first two hours of the 218km stage 16, when the peloton raced à bloc, preventing any moves from sticking in the first 100 kilometres. Once the peloton decided to take the foot off the gas, 47 riders went clear and put more than ten minutes between them and the pack, Quick-Step Floors being represented at the front by Philippe Gilbert and stage 10 winner Julian Alaphilippe.
36-year-old Gilbert attacked on a downhill section taking to the foot of Col de Portet-d’Aspet, and the former World Champion dully stretched out the gap to a minute over his former breakaway companions, cresting the summit of this legendary climb in the lead.
On a tricky left-hand corner on the descent, Gilbert went over a wall and crashed into a small ravine. Fortunately, with some help, he climbed out and after being attended by the medical team and sports director Brian Holm, Gilbert decided to continue the stage at his own pace, which saw him being reabsorbed by the peloton.
At the front, attacks ensued on the Col de Menté, with Alaphilippe jumping clear to claim maximum points on the climb made famous at the 1971 edition. In the valley, the 17 men left in the main group continued to work together, but things soon changed on Col du Portillon, an ascent whose Tour de France debut was recorded six decades ago.
After attacking inside the last four kilometres of the climb, Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) looked to be in prime position to take the win, with Alaphilippe next over.
On the descent to Bagnères-de-Luchon with seven kilometers to go, Yates made a mistake in a corner, crashing and leaving Alaphilippe in the lead, who went on to take his seventh victory of the season.
“The last 20 kilometres were very intense, with a lot of attacks and cat-and-mouse game in the escape,” said Alaphilippe. “When I got word that Yates opened a half a minute gap, I decided to attack and managed to pull him back to ten seconds by the time he crashed. It’s never nice when this happens to someone, and I waited for him, but then I saw he was hesitating a bit, so I continued my race.
“Getting the victory in this town which is inextricably linked to the Tour is incredible, I would have never thought of this, and it makes me really proud to be on the top spot of the podium. To hold the polka dot jersey is a bonus and I will fight hard to keep it. The race and fight for the KOM aren’t over yet, but I am very motivated and confident.”
“Seeing his bike on the ground I got a bit scared, so I slowed down on the descent. It’s a real pity he crashed and is now out of the Tour. He’s been a huge helper for the team during the race and he deserves a lot of credit for the role played in our success.”
The race will continue on Tuesday with a short but intense 65km-long stage from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Saint-Lary-Soulan.
