Dutchman Bauke Mollema won stage 15 of the Tour de France on Sunday, while Britain’s Chris Froome retained the leader’s yellow jersey.
Diego Ulissi crossed for second, with Tony Gallopin third, Primoz Roglic fourth and Warren Barguil fifth in the 189.5km stage from Laissac-Severac l’Eglise to Le Puy-en-Velay.
‘It’s amazing, I am so happy to finally win a stage in the Tour de France,’ said Mollema, who rides for Trek-Segafredo. ‘This is what I have worked for in the past few years. I’ve been close. I knew this would be a chance for me.
‘I just gave it a try in the last 30km. I think I never did so long riding alone, but I made it.’
Meanwhile, Froome extended his advantage over Italy’s Fabio Aru to 18 seconds in the overall classification, despite needing a wheel change when the race was approaching the Col de Peyra Taillade.
The final rest day will be on Monday, followed by the last six stages of the race, which will end in Paris on 23 July.
Stage 15 result:
1. Bauke Mollema (Ned/Trek-Segafredo) 4hrs 41mins 47secs
2. Diego Ulissi (Ita/UAE Team Emirates) +19secs
3. Tony Gallopin (Fra/Lotto-Soudal) Same Time
4. Primoz Roglic (Svn/LottoNL-Jumbo) Same Time
5. Warren Barguil (Fra/Team Sunweb) +23secs
6. Nicolas Roche (Ire/BMC) +1min 00secs
7. Lilian Calmejane (Fra/Direct Energie) +1min 04secs
8. Jan Bakelants (Bel/AG2R La Mondiale) Same Time
9. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/FDJ) Same Time
10. Serge Pauwels (Bel/Team Dimension Data) Same Time
General classification after stage 15:
1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 64hrs 40mins 21secs
2. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +18secs
3. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +23secs
4. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale-Drapac) +29secs
5. Daniel Martin (Ire/Quick-Step Floors) +1min 12secs
6. Mikel Landa (Spa/Team Sky)+1min 17secs
7. Simon Yates (GB/Orica-Scott) +2mins 02secs
8. Louis Meintjes (SA/UAE Team Emirates) +5mins 09secs
9. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek-Segafredo) +5mins 37secs
10. Damiano Caruso (Ita/BMC) +6mins 05secs
Photo: @letour_uk/Twitter
