07/17/19 11:31:00
Printable Page
07/17 11:29 CDT Ewan posts first Tour stage win, Alaphilippe keeps yellow
Ewan posts first Tour stage win, Alaphilippe keeps yellow
TOULOUSE, France (AP) --- Tour de France debutant Caleb Ewan sprinted to
victory on Stage 11 of the Tour de France on Wednesday, while Frenchman Julian
Alaphilippe kept the race leader's yellow jersey a day before the race enters
the high mountains.
Ewan, a 25-year-old Australian, edged fellow sprinter Dylan Groenewegen by a
tire's width and was awarded the victory after photo finish. Elia Viviani
placed third.
Ewan is part of a new generation of sprinters who are trying to dethrone
three-time world champion Peter Sagan. After winning stages at the Giro
d'Italia and Spanish Vuelta, he now added his first Tour victory to complete
the list of Grands Tours.
On a transition day without big difficulties, the main favorites did not take
any risks and there were no significant changes in the overall standings. But
there was a crash about 30 kilometers from the finish line that left Niki
Terpstra with a suspected collarbone fracture and took him out of the race.
Overall contenders Nairo Quintana and Richie Porte were also involved in the
pile-up but got back on their bikes.
Four riders broke free of the pack just after the start outside Albi and at one
stage had a lead of 3 minutes, 27 seconds. The pack accelerated in the last 60
kilometers and the last of the breakaway riders, Aime De Gendt, was caught with
4.5 kilometers left.
Ewan perfectly timed his effort after Groenewegen launched the final sprint on
the left side of the road. Ewan took the wheel of his Dutch rival and pipped
him to the line in a very tight finish.
The battle for the general classification is expected to intensify over the
next five days, with three mountain stages and a time trial on the program.
Thursday's stage features two first category climbs
___
More Tour de France coverage: https://apnews.com/TourdeFrance
|
