Stage 15 of the Tour de France has just wrapped up, bringing an unfortunate run of luck for British rider Chris Froome, a three-time winner of the Tour.
Froome managed to hold onto his yellow jersey, recovering from a puncture early in the stage. In an incredible 30-second wheel change, Froome rallied and managed to rejoin the peloton on the category one climb.
“It was almost as if I had to attack just to get back to the front group. I had to go very deep. I had to, I had no option. It was that or I didn’t go over the climb with the favourites.”
Despite his efforts, Dutch Trek-Degafredo cyclist Bauke Mollema claimed the stage victory.
“It’s really amazing,” Mollema said. “I’m so happy to win a stage at the Tour de France. I’ve worked for it so hard in the last few years. That was a big goal for me.”
Aussie Michael Matthews won the intermediate sprint, sitting 79 points behind Marcel Kittel in the points classification.
The final week of the Tour will decide the winner of the general classification. A mere 29 seconds separates the top four cyclists. Critics are calling this the closest Tour in recent history.
Watch the summary video of Stage 15 below.
