Christopher Froome Of Great Britain Wins Tour de France

Stage 21 of the 2015 Tour de France was run on Sunday. It was the traditional ride into Paris, and sprint finish. The stage winner was Andre Greipel of Germany. Bryan Coquard of France finished second, and Alexander Kristoff of Norway finished third. The stage did not alter the overall standings, And Christopher Froome of Great Britain is this year's race winner.

Below are photos of the winners, and the podium finishers:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Best Climber)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)
2. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)
3. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Team Sky (Great Britain)
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia)

Colombian Attacks In Stage 20 But Fails To Win Yellow

Stage 20 was the last chance for anyone to take the Yellow jersey from British rider Christopher Froome in this year's Tour de France. Colombian Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, who started the day about two and a half minutes behind Froome, promised to use the two unrated climbs to attack -- and he did that. But he was unable to erase the whole deficit, and Froome finished the day still slightly over a minute in the overall lead, assuring that he will win this year's Tour.

The winner of stage 20 was Frenchman Thibaut Pinot. He finished 18 seconds ahead of Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas of Colombia, and 41 seconds ahead of Canadian Ryder Hesjedal.

On Sunday, the Tour finishes with the traditional ride into Paris and the sprint finish down the famous Champs-Elysées.

Here are the standings after stage 20:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........1' 12"
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........5' 25"
4. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........8' 36"
5. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........9' 48"
6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........10' 47"
7. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........15' 14"
8. Frank Mathias, Switzerland (IAM Cycling)..........15' 39"
9. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........16' 00" 
10. Pierre Rolland, France (Team Europcar)..........17' 30"
11. Andrew Talansky, United States (Cannonade-Garmin)..........22' 06"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........420 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........316 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........281 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts 
5. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........139 pts
6. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........122 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Best Climber)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........119 puts
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........108 pts
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........90 pts
4. Thibaud Pinot, France (FDJ)..........82 pts
5. Joachim Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Team Katusha)..........78 pts

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........14' 48"
3. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........30' 03"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........57' 23"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........1h 00' 12"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........1h 12' 09"
5. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........1h 14' 32"

Italian Rider Wins Tough Stage 19 And Moves Into 4th

Before this year's Tour started, Italian Vincenzo Nibali had been considered one of the favorites to win the Yellow jersey. But a tough first week had made that very unlikely, and he had to fight for many days just to get back into the top ten riders overall. But stage 19 turned out to be his day in the sun.

Nibble used the Col de la Croix de Fer, a climb so difficult it can't be rated, to attack. He then held off all the other riders for the last 59 kilometers to win the stage (and vault himself into fourth place overall). He finished 44 seconds ahead of Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas of Colombia, and a minute and a quarter ahead of race leader Christopher Froome of Great Britain (who retained the Yellow jersey).

The 110.5 kilometer stage 20 only has two climb, but both of them are extremely difficult unrated climbs. That will be the last chance for any rider to overtake Froome for the overall lead, before the traditional ride into Paris (and sprint finish) on Sunday.

Here are the standings after stage 19:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........2' 38"
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........5' 25"
4. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........6' 44"
5. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........7' 56"
6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........8' 55"
7. Frank Mathias, Switzerland (IAM Cycling)..........12' 39"
8. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........13' 22"
9. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........14' 08" 
10. Pierre Rolland, France (Team Europcar)..........17' 27"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........420 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........316 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........281 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts 
5. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........128 puts
6. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........122 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Best Climber)
1. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........90 pts
2. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........87 pts
3. Joachim Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Team Katusha)..........78 pts
4. Jakob Fuglsang, Denmark (Astana Pro Team)..........64 pts
5. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........56 pts

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........11' 30"
3. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........24' 22"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........51' 00"
3. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........53' 36"
4. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........55' 12"
5. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........59' 05"

Spaniard Take Polka Dot In Stage 18 - Brit Stays In Yellow

The 186.5 kilometer stage 18 was filled with nothing but climb after climb, and two French riders used that to make it a good day for the Tour's home country. The stage winner was Frenchman Romain Bardet. He separated near the top of the unrated col du Glandon and maintained his lead to the finish, beating fellow Frenchman Pierre Rolland by about 33 seconds. Colombian Winner Andrew Anacona Gomez finished in third place, about 59 seconds behind Bardet.

After spending several days holding both the Polka Dot and Yellow jerseys, Christopher Froome of Great Britain lost the Polka Dot jersey in stage 18. He stayed in the Yellow jersey though, as the overall standings were not really affected by this stage.

Stage 19 is shorter (only 138 kilometers) and has only four climbs, but all of those climbs are difficult -- starting with a category 1 climb, then going into a climb too difficult to be rated, then an immediate category 2 climb, and the race finishes at the top of a second category 1 climb.

Here are the standings after stage 18:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........3' 10"
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........4' 09
4. Geraint Thomas, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........6' 34"
5. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........6' 40"
6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........7' 39"
7. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........8' 04"
8. Frank Mathias, Switzerland (IAM Cycling)..........8' 47"
9. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........12' 06"
10. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........12' 52"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........420 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........316 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........281 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts
5. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........122 pts

POLKA DOT JERSEY (Best Climber)
1. Joachim Rodriguez Oliver, Spain (Team Katusha)..........68 pts
2. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........68 pts
3. Jakob Fuglsang, Denmark (Astana Pro Team)..........64 pts
4. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........61 pts
5. Serge Pauwels, Belgium (MTN-Qhubeka)..........55 pts
6. Richie Porte, Australia (Team Sky)..........40 pts 

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........9' 42
3. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........9' 58"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........36' 23"
3. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........39' 38"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........46' 31"
5. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........49' 30"

Illness Forces 3rd Place American Out Of The Tour

The tragedy of the Tour's stage 17 happened to American Tejay Van Garderen. After spending many days among the top three overall Tour leaders, Van Garderen started stage 17 with a severe headache. By kilometer 31, he had fell behind the lead group. He struggled, but caught back up. Then on the category 2 climb at about 91 kilometers, he again fell far behind and was forced to withdraw -- a very tough break after the wonderful Tour he had been having. Maybe he can have an even better ride (and better luck) in 2016.

The hero of the day was German Simon Geschke, who pulled away from a large lead breakaway group about 50 kilometers from the finish -- and held that lead to win stage 17. He finished 32 seconds ahead of American Andrew Talansky (who moved up to 12th place overall), and a minute ahead of Colombian Rigoberto Uran Uran.

Stage 18's 186.5 kilometer ride through the Alps will be even tougher. It has three category 3 climbs, three category 2 climbs, and one climb so difficult it can't be rated.

Here are the standings after stage 17:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........3' 10"
3. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........4' 09
4. Geraint Thomas, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........6' 34"
5. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........6' 40"
6. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........7' 39"
7. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........8' 04"
8. Frank Mathias, Switzerland (IAM Cycling)..........8' 47"
9. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........11' 47"
10. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........13' 08"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........420 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........316 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........281 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. Serge Pauwels, Belgium (MTN-Qhubeka)..........40 pts
5. Richie Porte, Australia (Team Sky)..........40 pts 
6. 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)..........9' 58"
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........12' 54"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........16' 57"
3. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........33' 41"
4. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........38' 46"
5. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........46' 31"

Tour Takes A Rest Day With Only 5 Stages To Go

(Photo of current jersey wearers is from the website of the Tour de France.)

The 2015 Tour de France took its second and final rest day on Tuesday. It will resume on Wednesday with five stages left to be rode. Stages 17 through 20 will all be mountain stages, and could possibly affect the overall standings. Stage 21 is the traditional ride into Paris, and will be the last chance for sprinters to earn points.

Here are the current standings:

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)..........5' 32"
7. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........6' 23"
8. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........7' 49"
9. Tony Gallopin, France (Lotto-Soudal)..........8' 53"
10. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........11' 03"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........405 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. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........20'50"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........29' 36"
4. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........32' 48"
5. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........36' 11"

Spanish Rider Uses Final Climb To Win Stage 16

The climbs in the last half of the 201 kilometer stage 16 of the Tour proved to be a bit too much to allow a sprint finish. Spanish rider Ruben Plaza Molina used the final climb to break into the lead, and maintained that lead until the finish line. He finished 30 seconds ahead of Slovakian Peter Sagan, and 36 seconds ahead of Colombian Jarlinson Pantano Gomez.

This stage did not affect the overall standings of race leaders. Brit Christopher Froome remains in the Yellow jersey, with Colombian Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas in second and American Tejay Van Garderen in third. On Tuesday, the riders will get their second and final rest day. On Wednesday, the race continues in the Alps.

Here are the standings after stage 16:

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)..........5' 32"
7. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........6' 23"
8. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........7' 49"
9. Tony Gallopin, France (Lotto-Soudal)..........8' 53"
10. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........11' 03"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........405 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. MTN-Qhubeka (South Africa)..........20'50"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........29' 36"
4. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........32' 48"
5. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........36' 11"

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"

Froome Extends Lead In Stage 14 - American Drops To 3rd

As expected, the tough climbs at the end of Stage 14 made it a day for the climbers of the Tour. It looked like the stage was going to be won by a couple of French riders, but Stephen Cummings of Great britain caught and passed them near the finish. He finished two seconds ahead of Thibaud Pinot and three seconds ahead of Romain Bardet (both French riders).

The Yellow jersey is still worn by Christopher Froome of Great Britain, and in fact, he was able to extend his overall lead to three minutes and ten seconds. Colombian Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas picked up thirty-nine seconds on American Tejay Van Garderen, and moved into second place in the overall standings. Van Garderen is now in third place.

Stage 15 is a 183 kilometer course that starts with a category 3 climb. It then has two category 4 climbs and a category 2 climb, but the course goes downhill and flattens out in the last 40 kilometers or so. That should allow the stronger teams to get their sprinters to the front for the finish.

Here are the standings after stage 14:

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)..........5' 32"
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)..........322 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........261 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........228 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts
5. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........120 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)..........13' 54"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........30' 28"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........36' 07"
5. BMC Racing (United States)..........37' 42"

Stronger Sprinters Use Downhill Finish To Win Stage 13

I thought the medium-grade climbs in the second half of the 198.5 kilometer stage 13 might keep the sprinters from winning this leg of the Tour, but it didn't turn out that way. Their teams were able to pull some of the stronger sprinters through the mountains, and then they used the downhill finish to make it another good day for the sprinters.

The winner was Greg Van Avermaet of Belgium, who barely beat Slovakian Peter Sagan at the finish line. Another Belgium rider, Jan Bakelants, finished in third, 3 seconds behind the first two riders. The overall standings were not affected. British rider Christopher Froome is still in the Yellow jersey -- nearly 3 minutes ahead of American Tejay Van Garderen.

Stage 14 will be a bit more difficult -- with two category 4 climbs, two category 2 climbs, and a tough unrated climb at the finish.

Here are the standings after stage 13:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Tejay Van Garderen, United States (BMC Racing)..........2' 52"
3. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........3' 09"
4. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........3' 58"
5. Geraint Thomas, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........4' 03"
6. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........4' 04"
7. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........5' 32"
8. Tony Gallopin, France (Lotto-Soudal)..........7' 32"
9. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........7' 47"
10. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........8' 02"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........285 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........261 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........238 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........192 pts
5. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........120 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)..........35 pts

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........6' 44"
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........14' 17"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........6' 07"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........27' 11"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........32' 40"
5. BMC Racing (United States)..........34' 20"

Spanish Rider Wins Stage 12 - Brit Keeps Yellow Jersey

Stage 12 of the Tour was another stage for the strong climbers. It was won by Joachim Rodriguez Oliver of Spain. Jakob Fuglsang of Denmark finished in second, and Romain Bardet of France grabbed third place. None of these three riders were close enough to the race leaders to impact the overall standings though -- and Christopher Froome of Great Britain still has the Yellow jersey (2' 52" ahead of American Tejay Van Garderen).

Stage 13 will probably still favor the climbers over the sprinters, but the 198.5 kilometer course is not nearly as difficult as the last three stages.

Here are the race standings after stage 12:

YELLOW JERSEY (Overall Leaders)
1. Christopher Froome, Great Britain (Team Sky)
2. Tejay Van Garderen, United States (BMC Racing)..........2' 52"
3. Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas, Colombia (Movistar)..........3' 09"
4. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte, Spain (Movistar)..........3' 58"
5. Geraint Thomas, Great Britain (Team Sky)..........4' 03"
6. Alberto Contador, Spain (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........4' 04"
7. Robert Gesink, Netherlands (Lotto NL-Jumbo)..........5' 32"
8. Tony Gallopin, France (Lotto-Soudal)..........7' 32"
9. Vincenzo Nibali, Italy (Astana Pro Team)..........7' 47"
10. Bauke Mollema, Netherlands (Trek Factory Racing)..........8' 02"

GREEN JERSEY (Best Sprinter)
1. Peter Sagan, Slovakia (Tinkoff-Saxo)..........254 pts
2. Andre Greipel, Germany (Lotto-Soudal)..........252 pts
3. John Degenkolb, Germany (Giant-Alpecin)..........201 pts
4. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (ETIXX-Quick Step)..........185 pts
5. Bryan Coquard, Francee (Europcar)..........117 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)..........35 pts

WHITE JERSEY (Best Young Rider)
1. Nairo Alenander Quintano Rojas, Columbia (Movistar)
2. Warren Barguil, France (Giant-Alpecin)..........6' 34"
3. Romain Bardet, France (AG2R La Mondiale)..........13' 56"

TEAM LEADERS
1. Movistar (Spain)
2. Team Sky (Great Britain)..........5' 19"
3. Tinkoff-Saxo (Russia).........25' 27"
4. Astana Pro Team (Kazakhstan)..........31' 50"
5. BMC Racing (United States)..........34' 27"