Tour de France 2018, stage 14: Omar Fraile triumphs in Mende as Geraint Thomas keeps tight hold on leader's yellow jersey
Full results and standings after stage 14 at the Tour de France
How much will riders and teams earn in prize money and points?
Full starting list of teams and riders at the Tour de France
Omar Fraile won stage 14 of the Tour de France after overhauling fellow escapee Jasper Stuyven on the steep climb up to the Mende aerodrome.
The pair were among the final survivors of a 32-man breakaway who were 20 minutes ahead of the peloton at the end of the 188km stage from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateux.
Trek-Segafredo's Stuyven attacked solo with 35km to go, but ran out of steam on the 12 and 13 per cent gradients out of Mende, and was overhauled by Astana's Fraile around 500 metres from the summit.
Stuyven tried in tandem with Quick-Step Floors' Julian Alaphilippe to respond on the long run-in to the finish, but Fraile had plenty of time to celebrate his first career Tour stage win.
Yellow jersey Geraint Thomas crossed the line more than 18 minutes after Fraile, following Sky team-mate Chris Froome and Team Sunweb's Tom Dumoulin over the line as the top three in the general classification finished in a group.
They were eight seconds behind LottoNL-Jumbo's Primoz Roglic, with the man fourth overall having attacked three kilometres from the finish to gain a slight advantage.
But others struggled, most notably AG2R La Mondiale's Romain Bardet and Movistar pair Mikel Landa and Nairo Quintana. Quintana gave up 10 seconds to Thomas, Bardet 14 and Landa 29.
UAE Team Emirates' Dan Martin was not with the main group after suffering a puncture one kilometre before the climb while Adam Yates' recent struggles continued as he was dropped as soon as the road went up.
The provisional general classification showed Thomas retaining his lead of one minute 39 seconds over Froome, with Dumoulin a further 11 seconds back.
Roglic is now two minutes 38 seconds down in fourth, with Bardet's deficit to yellow growing to three minutes and 21 seconds.The provisional general classification showed Thomas retaining his lead of one minute 39 seconds over Froome, with Dumoulin a further 11 seconds back.
Roglic is now two minutes 38 seconds down in fourth, with Bardet's deficit to yellow growing to three minutes and 21 seconds.
PA
Thomas retains leader's yellow jersey
Primoz Roglicleads the peloton over the line and the Slovenian has gained a few valuable seconds here today. Geraint Thomas leads team-mate Chris Froome over the line to retain his yellow jersey. Romain Bardet loses some time as did Nairo Quintana and Steven Kruijswijk while Mikel Landa was a short distance further back.
1km to go - for the peloton
Thomas attacks and Froome is on his wheel with Dumoulin tucked in behind. Primoz Roglic is going to earn a handful of seconds here today.
1.8km to go
And Tom Dumoulin has fought back to near the front and the Dutchman has maillot jaune Geraint Thomas on his wheel.
2.4km to go
That injection of pace from Primoz Roglic has seen Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) fall off the back. Chris Froome dropped off briefly, while Geraint Thomas is sat alongside team-mate Egal Bernal and is looking the picture of cool.
2.8km to go - for peloton
Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL-Jumbo) and Mikel Landa (Movistar) are leading the way up this steep slope. And Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) has attacked off the front.
3.5km to go - for peloton
Maillot jauneGeraint Thomas is near the front, but Chris Froome appears to be waning a little. Romain Bardet and Ag2r-La Mondiale team-mate Pierre Latour are both at the head of the field. Movistar poised.
Meanwhile . . . in the other race
The Team Sky-powered peloton is nearing the bottom of the climb. Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) appears to have puctured.
Fraile wins the stage!
Omar Fraile wins his first Tour de France stage ahead of Julian Alaphilippe while Jasper Stuyven, who wins combativity award for the day, finishes in third spot.
1km to go
Can Julian Alaphilippe become the first Frenchman to win a Tour stage here since Laurent Jalabert in 1995, or will Omar Fraile take the first stage win for Astana at this year's race?
1.9km to go
And Omar Fraile (Astana) has caught and dropped Jasper Stuyven, but the leader in the mountains classification Julian Alaphilippe his giving chase, using the Belgian as a marker.
2.3km to go
And boom, Julian Alaphilippe has taken up the chase. The Frenchman looks comfortable.
2.5km to go
Omar Fraile (Astana) is flying now, he's riding at 19km/h while Jasper Stuyven is labouring away at 12km/h.
2.6km to go
Daniel Martínez (Education First–Drapac p/b Cannondale) is the next to attack off the chasing group.
Omar Fraile (Astana) has whittled down Jasper Stuyven's lead to just 30sec.
3km to go
Omar Fraile (Astana) appears to have slowed up a little, but he has dropped Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal). The Basque is in pursuit of the Belgian.
3.4km to go
Omar Fraile (Astana) has got onto the wheel of Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) and the pair are giving chase. Jasper Stuyven is starting to tire, but he's still got a 1min 8sec lead.
3.7km to go: De Gendt attacks!
The Lotto-Soudal rider has clipped off the front of the chasing pack and is in pursuit of Jasper Stuyven.
4km to go
Jasper Stuyven is still looking good but further back fellow Belgian Thomas De Gendt is poised, ready to attack.
5km to go
Nervous time for the Trek-Segafredo camp. Can Jasper Stuyven add to the John Degenkolb's win last Sunday? Anyway, the 26-year-old on onto the Côte de la Croix Neuve now. This will be the longest 3,000 metres of his life.
8km to go
Jasper Stuyven's advantage has pulled out to 1min 4sec, but the chasing pack have some very strong riders in their ranks. The final climb is only short, but it tops out at 14% in gradient so the Belgian could easily lose time there to someone like Julian Alaphilippe, especially after putting in a big effort on the approach.
12km to go
Jasper Stuyven has just taken a bottle from a team car, but I'm not too sure he's allowed to do that in the final 20km? Anyway, if he's pushing on and has a lead of 1min 45sec on the chasing group.
17km to go
Jasper Stuyven is looking comfortable out in front, but there's a strong group in pursuit. Philippe Gilbert is working hard on front of the chasing group on behalf of Quick-Step Floors team-mate Julian Alaphilippe. The polka dot jersey, remember, is one of the pre-stage favourites here today.
22km to go
Lilian Calmejane and Thomas De Gendt have managed to catch Gorka Izagirre and Tom-Jelte Slagter who now trail stage leader Jasper Stuyven by 1min 8sec. The quartet will have to work together if they are to catch the Belgian on his national day. Further back, Luke Rowe continues to pull hard on the front of the bunch which trails Stuyven by over 18 minutes.
30km to go
Jasper Stuyven, the 26-year-old Belgian who won Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne in 2016 and a stage at the Vuelta a Espana the previous year, is giving it beans and has increased his lead over Gorka Izagirre and Tom-Jelte Slagter, who are now working together, to over 40sec. Fairly exposed roads now with plenty of head / head-crosswinds to contend with. It will take a strong man to bettle with the elements here. Or a Belgian.
32km to go
Jasper Stuyven has almost 20sec on Gorka Izagirre.
35km to go
Jasper Stuyven has attacked off the front of the leading trio with Gorka Izagirre in pursuit, while Tom-Jelte Slagter looks done. Further back a group of around 11 riders are chasing.
36km to go
A group featuring Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Omar Fraile (Astana) and Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors) are now in pursuit of the leading trio, but they have a gap of almost a minute to cover.
38km to go
Jasper Stuyven, Tom-Jelte Slagter and Gorka Izagirre have edged out their advantage on the chasing group – comprising 22 riders – to 1min 21sec, but as the road continues to rise up following the Col du Pont sans Eau a number of riders are struggling to hold the pace. The peloton, meanwhile, is over 16min down the road.
46km to go
Jasper Stuyven adds another two points to his tally in the mountains classification atop the category three Col du Pont sans Eau, but on e imagines the leading trio have other things on their minds today: most notably the stage win.
47km to go
Jasper Stuyvenand Tom-Jelte Slagter have managed to catch Gorka Izagirre and the trio, who now lead the Team Sky-powered peloton by over 14 minutes, are nearing the category three Col du Pont sans Eau – translated to 'bridge with no water' – which will please none of the riders on days like today when they will be giving themselves a fair thirst. But how much will they drink on stages like this?
Izagirre opens his account . . .
The talented Basque rider has gone over the top of the Col de la Croix de Berthel to trouser himself €500 in prize money. Gorka Izagirre, whose team leader Vincenzo Niabli abandoned following Thursday's stage to Alpe d'Huez, appears to be going for a long solo attack.
59km to go
Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida) has managed to chip off the front of the breakaway and is heading towards the summit of the Col de la Croix de Berthel. The Basque rider has yet to score in the mountains classification, so one imagines he's not thinking about the points here. Who knows, maybe he's after the €500 prize money at the top?
62km to go
The breakaway is tapping away and are just 3.5km from the summit of the category two Col de la Croix de Berthel. Just 9.1km in length with an average gradient of 5.3%. The peloton trails by almost 10 minutes now by by my reckoning is easily the biggest lead we have had at this year's race.
Bevin abandons the Tour de France
Patrick Bevin has been forced to quit the race. This was the 27-year-old's second outing at the Tour following last year's debut when the New Zealand rider finished 114th on general classification. That leaves six BMC Racing riders – Damiano Caruso, Simon Gerrans, Stefan Küng, Michael Schär, Greg Van Avermaet and Tejay van Garderen – still in the race after Richie Porte quit during stage nine last Sunday.
Here's the full details of who's left in the race:
67km to go
Belgian champion Yves Lampaert – along with six compatriots – is showing off his national colours on the front of the breakaway while Patrick Bevin (BMC Racing) is struggling off the back of the peloton. The Kiwi does not look good. The 32-man break's advantage has pulled out to 9min 32sec.
75km to go
The breakaway has pulled its advantage out to well over eight minutes.
King of the hill[s]?
It's fair to say that Julian Alaphilippe is pretty chuffed to be in the polka dot jersey, but can the Quick-Step Floors rider make it back-to-back wins for French riders after Warren Barguil's win in 2017?
The breakaway's advantage has dropped to below seven minutes while Gianni Moscon has now taken over from Team Sky road captain Luke Rowe on the front of the peloton. All looks fairly calm out in the field.
Feeling inspired?
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The breakaway's lead has increased slightly to 7min 5sec.
Sagan extends his lead in the points classification
Once again, Peter Sagan clips off the front of the breakaway to add another 20 points to his tally in the points classification.
He's made this competition his own since making his Tour de France debut in 2012. In fact, the Slovakian has won the green jersey five times now – only last year did he fail to win the points classification and that was because he got booted out following that coming together with Mark Cavendish during the sprint finish in Vittel.
Allez Alaphilippe!
The leader in the mountains classification coasts off the front of the breakaway to take the single point on offer at the summit of the Côte du Grand Châtaignier. Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors), by the way, just increased his lead in the competition to 15 points over Warren Barguil (Fortuneo-Samsic) who failed to make the break today.
110km to go
Team Sky are still on the front of the peloton with all of the general classification contenders tucked in behind the men in white and black – and one in yellow – almost seven minutes adrift of the breakaway.
If you are new to this cycling malarkey and get a little confused by who's wearing what, then here's my guide to the WorldTour kits.
Wish you were here . . .
Stunning landscapes today.
Former stage winners in this breakaway
I've been going through the record books, and worked out that there are 10 riders from this breakaway who have won stages previously, with 24 stages between them. Almost half of those wins beyond to three-time world champion Peter Sagan. Anthony Perez, meanwhile, won a race on the final climb to Mende last year when the Cofidis, Solutions Crédits rider prevailed during stage two of the UCI 2.2 Tour du Gévaudan Languedoc-Roussillon. Guillaume Martin (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), who is also in the break, finished fourth that day before going on to win the two-day race.
Former Tour de France stage winners in 32-man breakaway: Julian Alaphilippe (stage 10, 2018), Maciej Bodnar (stage 20, 2017), Lilian Calmejane (stage eight, 2017), Sylvain Chavanel (stage 19, 2008 & stages two and seven 2010), Thomas De Gendt (stage 12, 2016), Simon Geschke (stage 17, 2015), Philippe Gilbert (stage one, 2011), Pierre Rolland (stage 19, 2011 & stage 11, 2012), Peter Sagan (stages one, three and six, 2012 & stage seven, 2013 & stages two, 11 and 16, 2016 & stage three, 2017 & stage two, five and 13, 2018) and Greg Van Avermaet (stage 13 2015 & stage five 2016).
That breakaway in full
Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors), Andrey Amador (Movistar), Maciej Bodnar (Bora-Hansgrohe), Thomas Boudat (Direct Énergie), Lilian Calmejane (Direct Énergie), Damiano Caruso (BMC Racing), Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Énergie), Jérôme Cousin (Direct Énergie), Thomas Degand (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Nicolas Edet (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits), Omar Fraile (Astana), Damien Gaudin (Direct Énergie), Simon Geschke (Sunweb), Philippe Gilbert (Quick-Step Floors), Michael Gogl (Trek-Segafredo), Michael Hepburn (Mitchelton-Scott), Daryl Impey (Mitchelton-Scott), Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida), Kristjian Koren (Bahrain-Merida), Stefan Küng (BMC Racing), Yves Lampaert (Quick-Step Floors), Christophe Laporte (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits), Daniel Martínez (Education First–Drapac p/b Cannondale), Anthony Perez (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits), Pierre Rolland (Education First–Drapac p/b Cannondale), Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe), Tom-Jelte Slagter (Dimension Data), Jasper Stuyven (Trek-Segafredo), Anthony Turgis (Cofidis, Solutions Crédits), Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing) and Julien Vermote (Dimension Data).
The highest-placed rider on general classification in this 32-man breakaway going into today's stage is Italian rider Caruso who started to day in 25th spot, 39min 18sec adrift of maillot jaune Geraint Thomas, so not too much for Team Sky to worry about.
Lunch on the go
The peloton has just passed through the feedzone where the riders pick up the musettes from team soigneurs, but what's in these cotton bags?
The peloton trails the 32-man breakaway by 4min 56sec.
148km to go
The large 32-man breakaway – I'm still working on getting the names of all the riders – has increased its lead to almost five minutes now.
The big break
There are now 32 riders in the breakaway, give me a few minutes and I'll get the composition of this group as soon as I can. One rider that you will not be surprised to discover is here, is Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe). The leader in the points classification will be hoping to extend his lead in that competition once the stage reaches the intermediate sprint in the small town of Bessèges which comes 90km into today's stage and 97.66km from the finish line. There are four categorised climbs here today, here's the details:
168km to go
Luke Roweis sat on the front of the peloton now, the Welshman appears happy and is all smiles as Team Sky settle in for the day. Those echelons, by the way, have disappeared and the bunch is all as one behind the leading group by over three minutes now.
Andrey Amador (Movistar), Lilian Calmejane (Direct Énergie) and Jérôme Cousin (Direct Énergie) have joined the stage leaders, while a much bigger group – of around 25 riders – are in pursuit. Julian Alaphilippe doesn't appear too happy with the prospect of this leading group swelling to over 30 riders.
173km to go
Anthony Perez is the Cofidis Solutions Crédits rider alongside Julian Alaphilippe, Thomas De Gendt, Omar Fraile and the quartet have managed to put some space between themselves and the maillot jaune – just over a minute.
175km to go
Julian Alaphilippe, Thomas De Gendt, Omar Fraile and a rider from Cofidis Solutions Crédits have moved towards the front of the leading group and appear to want to push on. Mikel Landa (Movistar), meanwhile, is around 40sec off the pace of the maillot jaune, but like Romain Bardetet al I'm sure he will get back on.
Echelons!
A slight head crosswind has torn its way into the peloton and around four or five echelons have formed, with riders fanning across the full width of the road. What a dramatic start to the stage.
Can't quite work out who's in which group, but the leading group has a posse of Quick-Step Floors riders along with the Team Sky pairing of Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome. Romain Bardet, meanwhile, has been caught out. Whether or not that will have any long-term impact on his stage and overall standing in general classification, though, remains to be seen. The Frenchman has plenty of time to regroup with the maillot jaune. Can't really see them turning the screw from this far out from Mende.
184km to go
Julian Alaphilippe attacked from the off, but the Frenchman's move came to nothing. Next up was Thomas De Gendt, but he was closed down too. That's no way to treat the Belgian breakaway specialist on his national day, is it?
Incidentally, five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx is the special guest at the race today. Andy why not.
And they're off!
Today's stage has just got under way after Christian Prudhomme, the Tour race director, popped his head of of the top of his shiny red Skoda before waving his flag to signify the opening of hostilities for the day.
Today's stage is all about the final climb, the 3km kick up Côte de la Croix Neuve, before the road flattens out on the Mende airstrip where, if riders are grouped together, we can expect a slow-motion sprint. One thing is sure though, there will be no sprinters battling it out for the stage win.
One would imagine a rider such as Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors) would fancy his chances later today. As will Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) or Omar Fraile (Astana). A number of general classification contenders – or those in the top 10, at least – could also do something later this afternoon: Romain Bardet (Ag2r-La Mondiale), Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates), who won atop Mûr-de-Bretagne in the opening week of the race, or even race leader Geraint Thomas (Team Sky) may prevail, as may defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky). Or could it be one for a baroudeur such as Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Énergie) or Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal)? I've no idea obviously, so let's wait, watch the action and find out, eh?
Feeding time
Before we get today's stage under way, why don't we catch up with Dr James Morton, Team Sky nutritionist, to find out what riders eat throughout the Tour de France? I'm off for my late morning coffee.
Over into the Massif Central . . .
Here's a reminder of the route of this year's Tour de France.
Following Friday's transitional stage, the riders head into the Massif Central today where the stage will conclude on the airfield in Mende, the scene of Steve Cummings' memorable stage win in 2015 when the British rider ambushed French duo Romain Bardet and Thibaut Pinot.
From Tom Simpson to Geraint Thomas – Britons in yellow
Since its first edition in 1903, just eight Britons have worn the leader's yellow jersey at the Tour de France. But who are they, how did they claim them and how long were they held for? Here are the answers . . .
As it stands . . .
Here's what the standings look like in the general, points, mountains, young rider and team classifications after 13 days of racing.
The Telegraph Cycling Podcast: re-cap of yesterday's stage
Friday’s stage of the Tour de France was the calm after the storm. Alpe d’Huez had claimed one notable victim – with fourth-placed Vincenzo Nibali having to pull out of the race after a crash caused by catching his bike on a spectator’s camera strap.
The Cycling Podcast asks what the Tour can do to keep the riders safe but retain the atmosphere of the race.
With Peter Sagan winning his third stage of the Tour, the team also ask whether something needs to be done to avoid a scenario where several top sprinters fail to make it through the mountains.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by Rapha and Science In Sport
Tour de France, stage 14: quick preview
When is the next stage of the Tour de France?
Stage 14 of the Tour de France is today, so Saturday July 21, 2018.
What time does the stage start?
The 14th stage at the Tour de France, the 188km run from St-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende gets under way at 12.05pm (BST) and is scheduled to reach KMO at 12.10pm. Telegraph Sport's coverage starts at 11.30am.
And when does the race finish?
The second grand tour of the season concludes on Sunday July 29 with the 116km stage from Houilles to Paris.
What about today's stage?
Anytime between 4.28 and 4.54pm, according to the scheduled timings on the Tour de France's official website. These timings, by the way, are based on fastest and slowest estimated average speeds.
What TV channel can I watch the race on?
Eurosport, ITV and S4C will be broadcasting every stage live each day – click here for full stage-by-stage details of broadcast times – while Telegraph Sport will provide live blogs to keep you up to speed with the latest news.
And what time is the live coverage?
Stage 14: St-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Mende, 188km
Telegraph Sport liveblog: From 11.30am
Live TV details: Eurosport 11.45-5pm, ITV4 12-5pm, S4C 2-4.35pm
What does the stage profile look like?
Who should you watch out for on the road to Paris?
