Stage 15 Is Another Day For The Tour's Sprinters

After four early climbs in the 183 kilometer stage 15, the last 40 kilometers was downhill and then flat -- and that allowed teams to get their sprinters to the front for the first real sprint finish in several days. German riders Andre Greipel and John Degenkolb finished first and second respectively, and Alexander Kristoff of Norway took third place. There was no change among the leaders in the overall standings, and Christopher Froome of Great Britain continues to wear the Yellow jersey.

Stage 16 is a mostly uphill 201 kilometer course with two category 2 climbs near the finish, leading to a 12 kilometer downhill finish. The Tour will then have its second day of rest for the riders, before the final five stages are held.

Here are the standings after stage 15:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........3' 10"
3. Tejay Van Garderen, United States (BMC Racing)..........3' 32"
4. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........4' 02
5. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........4' 23"
6. Geraint Thomas, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........4' 54"
7. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........6' 23"
8. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........8' 17"
9. Tony Gallopin, France (Lotto-Soudal)..........8' 23"
10. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........8' 53"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........360 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........316 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........264 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts
5. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........122 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Best Climber)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........61 pts
2. Joachim Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Team Katusha)..........52 pts 
3. Jakob Fuglsang, Denmark (Astana Pro Team)..........41 pts
4. Richie Porte, Australia (Team Sky)..........40 pts 
5. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........38 pts

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........7' 53"
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........10' 00"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........15' 39"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........30' 28"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........36' 07"
5. BMC Racing (United States)..........37' 42"