Norway’s Alexander Kristoff crosses the finish line to win the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 222 kilometers (137.9 miles) with start in Tallard and finish in Nimes, France, Sunday, July 20, 2014.NIMES, France – Almost at the line, Jack Bauer and Martin Elmiger were exhausted but could see it coming – their first Tour de France stage victory. Those last 50 meters, however, got in the way.
A bunch of sprinters leading the pack came speeding like a runaway train and plowed past the huffing breakaway duo in the final milliseconds. Stage 15 belonged to Norwegian speedster Alexander Kristoff, his second stage victory in this Tour.
The 138-mile (222-kilometer) stage went smoothly for overall leader Vincenzo Nibali of Italy. He made sure his main rivals couldn’t claw back any time, and he kept his yellow jersey by finishing in the trailing pack.
After two days in the Alps, Sunday’s stage offered some relief over a flat course from Tallard, southeast France’s parachuting capital, toward Nimes, known for its Roman arena and bullfighting. More relief comes Monday – a second rest day.
This ride showed yet again on the Tour how mighty efforts so often go unrewarded.