After the Pyrenees the Tour had four gentle but hilly stages in the south of France, as it transitioned towards the Alps for the final and crucial stages of the competition. The four stages had their own challenges, some with hill finishes, but they tended to favour the sprinters. The yellow jersey riders marked time before the Alps, careful not to let time slip against rivals.
On Stage 14, (Rodez-Mende 178.5km) the final hill, was sufficient a challenge, for the Yellow jersey contenders to spar for position; Chris Froome (Team Sky) was able to add valuable seconds to his lead over his nearest rivals, and Nairo Quintana’s (Movistar) moved into second place, ahead of Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing).
For the yellow jersey contest, Chris Froome (Team Sky) along with his able lieutenants, Geraint Thomas and Riche Porte, looked after the ’maillot juane'. He lost no time against his nearest rivals. Only Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) lost then gained seconds, and moving back into the Top ten, with a strong ride on Stage 16 (Bourg-de-Peage - Gap 201km) making up for weaker one on Stage 14 (Rodez-Mende 178.5km). Currently, the top five riders are Froome, Quintana (Movistar), van Garderen (BMC Racing), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo), with Geraint Evans (Team Sky) in 6th. All are primed for the Alps.
