Stage 14 TDF 2023 Blog: Best Descender Wins

Carlos Rodriguez (promoting oil and SUVs) won Stage 14 by closing the gap on Vingegaard and Pogacar after the top of the climb of the Joux Plane, and being the fastest on the descent to Morzine. Rodriguez is now third on GC.

Vingegaard took the most bonus seconds at the top of the Joux Plane (8s to Pogacar’s 5s). Pogacar was second on the stage and Vingegaard third, which meant 6 bonus seconds vs 4 bonus seconds. The result is that Vingegaard increases his overall lead from 9s to 10s.

Video Highlights

These are video highlights of Stage 14 Tour de France 2023.

Earlier in the Stage

A breakaway that included Michael Woods, Giulio Ciccone and Mikel Landa never got much of a gap, and was caught on the climb of the Col de la Ramaz.

Wout van Aert drove the pace on the descent of the Ramaz.

He and Wilco Kelderman both peeled off near the bottom of the Joux Plane – but then van Aert came back again to the front of the bunch for a final effort.

Sepp Kuss led Jonas Vingegaard, Jai Hindley, Carlos Rodriguez, Adam Yates, and Felix Gall up the Joux Plane.

Adam Yates then took over, and only Pogacar and Vingegaard could follow.

Pogacar attacked 3.7km from the top of the Joux Plane. Vingegaard couldn’t follow immediately, but gradually closed the gap.

The first to the top of the Joux Plane would get the most bonus seconds there. Pogacar tried to sprint from 500m but was blocked by two motorbikes. Then Vingegaard caught Pog by surprise and crested the climb first.

Carlos Rodriguez and Adam Yates caught up with the white and yellow jerseys before the downhill to Morzine began. That set up Rodriguez for his descent to victory.

Abandons

There was a crash with multiple riders down very early in the stage. It was the result of the first rain in a long time making the road slippy.

Antonio Pedrero and Louis Meintjes abandoned the race. Esteban Chaves limped on for a few km after the crash before throwing in the towel too.

After another crash, James Shaw and Romain Bardet had to leave the Tour de France.

Ramon Sinkeldam abandoned too, as did Ruben Guerreiro.