Matthews wins stage 14 - Geschke still in the mountain jersey
DPA
· 16.07.2022
Kämna & Geschke in breakaway group
Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) and Simon Geschke (Cofidis) fought a German sprint duel on the airfield in Mende, but the day's victory had already gone to Australian Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco) is secured.
Even after the sweat-inducing ride through the Massif Central, German cycling fans still have to wait for their first stage win in the 109th Tour de France. On Saturday, Kämna finished eighth in the breakaway of a larger breakaway group on the 14th stage from Saint-Etienne to Mende over 192.5 kilometres. Geschke finished ninth, but continues his record-breaking ride in the mountain jersey.
The 36-year-old Berliner secured the white kit with the red dots for the sixth time in a row. No German has ever ridden in the mountain jersey for so long.
Pogacar attacks Vingegaard
The Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), who had to hold off several attacks from defending champion Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) parried. Both finished 12:34 minutes behind Matthews. This means that the 25-year-old Vingegaard is still 2:22 minutes ahead of the Slovenian. Third remains former Tour champion Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) who lost a few seconds.
Matthews had the most stamina on the crisp climb to Mende. The classics specialist had already broken away from the large breakaway group beforehand and eventually took the lead ahead of Alberto Bettiol (EF Education EasyPost) and the French star Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) through.
Kämna & Geschke can't reach the front on the last mountain
Kämna and Geschke were unable to keep up with the pace and had to let go. Kämna in particular seems to be chasing his luck at the Tour. Already on the stages After Super Planche des Belles Filles and Megeve, the young North German had given it a go - without success, missing out on the yellow jersey by eleven seconds.
"I'm not at 100 per cent, but I felt good at the start and made it into the group. But in the end it's those five or ten per cent that are missing," said Kämna, adding: "I gave it my best shot, what can you do. The heat is not my dream weather, but apart from the last climb it was okay."
Pogacar can't get rid of Vingegaard
The favourites only tested each other briefly. Pogacar tried to escape Vingegaard a few times - but without success. For other podium contenders such as Thomas or Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic), the pace was too fast and they lost a few seconds.
Shortly after the start, a group of 23 riders had formed, including Kämna's team-mates Patrick Konrad and Felix Großschartner (both Austria), which was a comfortable situation for the Bora-Hansgrohe team. But it was not to work out in the final.
Geschke collects points for the mountain jersey
Geschke, meanwhile, collected a total of three points on the first three climbs. That was enough to consolidate his lead in the mountain classification. He no longer took part in the battle for the stage win. Conserving energy was the order of the day.
Sunday is probably the hottest day of the Tour for the riders. It can be up to 40 degrees on the 15th stage over 202.5 kilometres from Rodez to Carcassonne warm up. For the sprinters, it is one of the last few chances for a mass arrival.
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