Just seeing the route map for stage 14 exhausted me, as the grueling ascent to Risoul allowed few if any moments to catch wind. Anyone hoping to catch Nibali faces an increasingly uphill battle, seeing as the yellow jersey wearer’s overall lead increased by yet another minute today.
They’ve reached the Alps, and as always the only way is up. The same can be said for the shoulders of le maillot jaune, as Vincenzo Nibali comfortably upped his overall Tour lead with his third stage win that earned him the “King of the Mountains” polka dot jersey today as well. The big ascents have only just begun, because if stage 13 was hard, tomorrow will come.
Nibali’s solo breakaway finish in Chamrousse strengthens his Tour dominance.
Ryan R. Sanderson 