{"id":2049875,"date":"2026-07-18T10:52:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049875"},"modified":"2026-07-18T10:52:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:52:26","slug":"tour-de-france-stage-14-live-carapaz-healy-paret-peintre-rubio-and-the-johannessen-brothers-lead-the-race-on-mountainous-day-in-the-vosges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049875","title":{"rendered":"Tour de France stage 14 LIVE: Carapaz, Healy, Paret-Peintre, Rubio and the Johannessen brothers lead the race on mountainous day in the Vosges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9XgwSFQWDie9gSu8Ux2ZCP-1024-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/qfa37GMJEKuDMvtaCdMUz3.jpg\" alt=\"Tadej Pogacar in the Yellow Leader Jersey competes during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 13\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Massive breakaway shakes up the race for the overall podium\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/g93dfxbmpUCM2Z5ZjfRJXQ.jpg\" alt=\"Alpecin - Premier Tech team&amp;#039;s Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel leads a breakaway during the 9th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Breakaway holds off charging bunch on Tour de France stage 9 as former world champion wins in Ussel\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aUZGFkr3rDhTqjXbqj5iCP.jpg\" alt=\"LE LIORAN, FRANCE - JULY 14: Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia and UAE Team Emirates - XRG - Yellow Leader Jersey celebrates at finish line as stage winner during the 113th Tour de France 2026, Stage 10 a 166.6km stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran 1240m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 14, 2026 in Le Lioran, France. (Photo by Tim de Waele\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] w-20 h-20 object-cover flex-none rounded-lg\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                                    <span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span>\n                                <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: GC race explodes into life on the climbs of the Massif Central during stage 10 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nlive-article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 14 LIVE: Carapaz, Healy, Paret-Peintre, Rubio and the Johannessen brothers lead the race on mountainous day in the Vosges<\/h1>\n<h2>Starting in Mulhouse, the 155.3km stage 14 packs 3,800 metres of climbing into a stage short on distance but unrelenting in difficulty, and very likely the moment the GC battle truly ignites at Le Markstein<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Puddicombe <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-stage-14-live-tadej-pogacar-ready-for-battle-as-race-returns-to-the-mountains\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9XgwSFQWDie9gSu8Ux2ZCP.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: A general view of the peloton compete climbing to the Grand Ballon (1331m) during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo\" class=\"contents\" data-only-inline=\"1\">\n<div class=\"visible flex flex-row flex-nowrap sticky max-lg:-ml-5 top-[var(--site-header-height,60px)] sm:top-0 z-[9994] w-screen lg:w-full h-[50px] bg-white p-0 mb-5 border-neutral-200 border border-solid\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Variants:Inline\" data-analytics-id=\"sticky-nav\" id=\"sticky-nav--inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"sticky-nav\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-row w-full h-full overflow-x-scroll overflow-y-hidden tracking-normal overscroll-x-contain\" id=\"sticky-nav__scroll-container\">\n<span class=\"pl-4 my-auto text-base font-semibold font-article-heading lg:pl-3 lg:text-sm whitespace-nowrap uppercase\">Jump To:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-row w-auto border-y-0\">\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\nborder-b-[3px] border-b-(--jumpto-underline-color) border-solid font-semibold \" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Race Situation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>Have your say<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>OFFICIAL START<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>INTERMEDIATE SPRINT<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>120KM TO GO<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>KOM &#8211; GRAND BALLON<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>100KM TO GO<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>90KM TO GO<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>KOM &#8211; COL DU PAGE<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>KOM &#8211; BALLON D&#8217;ALSACE<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"inline-flex after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:inline-block after:relative after:h-3\/6 after:w-px after:bg-neutral-200 after:top-1\/4\n\" data-component-name=\"Article:JumpTo:Inline:Link\">\n<p>50KM TO GO<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-aa571b14-80f1-11f1-b656-afe90a74740e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571b8c-80f1-11f1-bbaa-25e39599a5b1\"><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Route<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571b8c-80f1-11f1-bbaa-25e39599a5b1-2\"><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France stage 14 &#8211; Preview<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Watch the 2026 Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571bfa-80f1-11f1-88ce-a164c8cb6fc8\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-aa571cd6-80f1-11f1-b14f-7f4672891704\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-aa571da8-80f1-11f1-b242-6712e9477f35\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W2dr4X\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:17:06.796Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5c752030-82b3-11f1-92db-e7a339b5d385\">The Pidcock group has been caught, so these 6 riders are the only riders remaining in front of the peloton. They&#8217;ve still got a reasonable lead of two minutes, but you sense they will need more if they&#8217;re to hold off the inevitable Tadej Poga\u010dar charge on the final climb.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5c75208a-82b3-11f1-bfed-35e4a364207b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yRWz8NGoq2gDT7VAWiTkf8.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: (L-R) Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and Team EF Education - EasyPost, Valentin Paret-Peintre of France and Team Soudal Quick-Step compete in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:11:08+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:11:08.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-86ba4fd8-82b2-11f1-89b0-4da043e4df67\">UAE Team Emirates XRG went hard on the Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, and have the Pidcock group within their sights, the catch about to be made.<\/p>\n<p>Their work is also dimming the break&#8217;s chance of survival &#8211; they&#8217;re now only two minutes ahead.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:08:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:08:09.921Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><span>KOM &#8211; BALLON D&#8217;ALSACE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4\">Paret-Peintre does indeed win the sprint, taking it from the front this time, and Carapaz made no real effort to come around him, settling for 2nd place. Here&#8217;s the updated rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Paret-Peintre 43<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4-2\">2 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 38<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:04:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:04:34.064Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b43f4a0-82b1-11f1-a260-af77b9a51aa2\">The sextet at the front is just 1km from the top of the climb. If Paret-Peintre can once again win the sprint for the KOM points, he&#8217;ll take over from Tadej Poga\u010dar at the top of the virtual classification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:00:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:00:51.935Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16e6c566-82b1-11f1-8600-9521b4101197\">Arensman is back in the Pidcock group (pictured), that is still being pulled along by Visma-Lease a Bike. They remain a long way down from the 6 leaders at 1:45, but are still holding off the peloton, which are at 40 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-16e6c610-82b1-11f1-8113-cfe2aa9fcf01\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L4snUb7ys2LG62PnCEfjs4.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: Tom Pidcock of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling competes in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:55:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:55:03.776Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4764d030-82b0-11f1-8bbd-67e1570df903\">It&#8217;s been a relatively straightforward day in the peloton so far for Tadej Poga\u010dar, who remains safely in the peloton. He&#8217;s under some pressure with Pidcock up the road, but his team have things firmly in control, keeping his group at a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, he had a go at bottle fetching, and was full of praise for his teammates at the menial jobs like that which they do for him each day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s a hard job, don&#8217;t be fooled&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar turns bottle-fetcher as he gets a taste of his teammates&#8217; Tour de France workload<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4764d09e-82b0-11f1-b1b6-3d99bba1eb0c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvu8imWdE86JmAnXcufi5E.jpg\" alt=\"UAE Team Emirates - XRG&amp;#039;s Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey cycles with his teammates in the Grand Ballon ascent during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:45:25+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:45:25.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-eea0d594-82ae-11f1-9fe4-e15663278bbc\">Problem for the EF riders in the break! Healy and Carapaz go wrong on the turn onto the Ballon d\u2019Alsace, and are held up. They\u2019ve managed to bridge back up to the other four in the break, but given how this might go down to the wire in terms of survival for the stage win, they can\u2019t afford mishaps like that. As things stand, they remain one minute up on Arensman, two minutes up on the Pidcock group, and 3:15 up on the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:41:54+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:41:54.646Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-70ff0002-82ae-11f1-8086-972ff48afef3\">Today\u2019s stage is the second of three back-to-back tough climbing stages, which could prove decisive in the race for GC. Be sure to have a read of our more in-depth look at them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70ff0070-82ae-11f1-a3d7-8d0dcc7794d0\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5RbDyneNScXnt58GLyRhUM.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: The crowd cheers the peloton during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:37:45+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:37:45.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dcf76426-82ad-11f1-9a12-fdcdd8747ef4\">The weather has taken another turn for the worse, and it\u2019s started pouring down. Bad timing, too, as the heavens have opened as the riders are descending, making these roads especially sketchy. They\u2019re all taking it easily, and thankfully will be at the bottom quite soon, after which they\u2019ll take on the third climb of the day &#8211; Ballon d\u2019Alsace, which was also tackled yesterday.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-dcf76494-82ad-11f1-8b59-53dfdddeddb0\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>\u201cHeavy rain on the descent! Keep your focus!\u201d\n<\/p><figcaption><cite>Visma-Lease a Bike DS<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:33:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:33:17.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3cf3d77a-82ad-11f1-8cf1-e1ef0fd8196a\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:31:00+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:31:00.334Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-col-du-page\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-col-du-page\"><span>KOM &#8211; COL DU PAGE <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8\">It&#8217;s a repeat of the last climb, with Paret-Peintre again out-sprinting Carapaz after Healy led them out. They crest the climb 40 seconds ahead of Arensman, while the Pidcock group is at 1:50 and the peloton (which is still being led by Politt) at 3:05. Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now; this pair are closing in on Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lead<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8-2\">2 Paret-Peintre 33<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 30<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:25:36+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:25:36.032Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29c38192-82ac-11f1-9119-df968a52ccfc\">Rubio has joined the five leaders at the front, but Arensman is further behind still chasing, at 20 seconds. They&#8217;re now only 1km away from the summit &#8211; Carapaz and Paret-Peintre will surely sprint for the points, but will anyone else?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:21:32+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:21:32.592Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-98917b66-82ab-11f1-b71b-25c91ce3fddc\">Visma have decided to press on in the breakaway group, despite the presence of Pidcock in it. Campenaerts has dropped back into the peloton, but Jorgenson and Armirail are working at the front of the group and have built the advantage over the peloton up to 50 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-98917bca-82ab-11f1-baf3-a7c0de832594\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BvzDnRZ44N8U78FNPRkHbU.jpg\" alt=\"Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team&amp;#039;s British rider Tom Pidcock cycles during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:16:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:16:06.787Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-90km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-90km-to-go\"><span>90KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d67866f2-82aa-11f1-8525-d31afd8a1491\">Arensman has had to stop for a mechanical. The Dutch rider is therefore having to go hard to try to chase back up to Rubio, who has struck out alone with his teammate Castrillo having run out of gas. His work was enough to get Rubio to within 25 seconds of the leading quintet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:11:26+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:11:26.009Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f077d9a-82aa-11f1-b063-a75ff6b3d9a8\">The riders are climbing again, up the category two Col du Page. Still UAE lead the peloton, and they&#8217;re keeping the Pidcock group very much in check, at just 40 seconds. The leading quintet is working well together though, and have grown their lead over the peloton to two minutes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2f077df4-82aa-11f1-b380-7d8d8e8c841d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E56V9YnN3AAkRD2Dg3xuj9.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders (peloton) completes its first pass of the finish line area before continuing its loop in the Vosges mountains during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:05:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:05:34.026Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5d34400a-82a9-11f1-9d30-3d4673c5f025\">Visma-Lease a Bike are in a bit of a dilemma here. They\u2019ve succeeded in getting a few of their riders (Jorgenson, Armirail and Campenaerts) up the road and in the break. But should they work at the front, given that they also have GC rival Pidcock in the group with them? The more attacking move would be to ride on and put UAE under pressure, but at present he is having to fight more to fend off those behind on GC than the one man ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Vingegaard has to fight more to stay second than he does to win&#8217; \u2013 Brian Holm sees tough battle ahead for Dane to maintain best of the rest status in Tour de France<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d344082-82a9-11f1-a198-c7fd7e2a577b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VpnCrjE8Q4UvqdLoWQrcyH.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the climber&amp;#039;s dotted &amp;amp;quot;King of the Mountains&amp;amp;quot; jersey awaits the start of the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:01:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:01:51.452Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d894248c-82a8-11f1-8a58-3d2b54c41b50\">The impetus has gone out of the Pidcock group. It&#8217;s now 1:15 down on the leaders, and only 40 or so seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:55:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:55:14.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ebefac46-82a7-11f1-836e-8b2c8e2fbdd6\">The leading five are pulling away from the rest on the descent. A chase group of three containing Arensman, Rubio and Castrillo are 30 seconds behind, but the Pidcock group is now at 1:15, and not working well together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:50:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:50:01.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3159d5f0-82a7-11f1-95db-b34e44ed3ffe\">Carapaz and Paret-Peintre have been joined by Healy and the Johnannessen brothers on the descent, and have pulled out a lead of 25 seconds over the Pidcock group. Meanwhile the peloton is at 1:25.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:44:29+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:44:29.204Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-grand-ballon\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-grand-ballon\"><span>KOM &#8211; GRAND BALLON<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361\">EF attempted to lead out Carapaz for the KOM points at the top with first Steinhauser and then Healy, but Paret-Peintre stole a march on him and beat him in the sprint. That pair have now pressed on down this descent and lead by a few seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361-2\">1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>2 Paret-Peintre 28<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 27<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:39:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:39:03.475Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-a947c01a-82a5-11f1-ad28-ddfa3d199058\">Steinhauser continues to lead the break, as they come to within 1.5km from the top. The peloton is 1:15 behind, with UAE setting tempo. The group remains all together &#8211; who will sprint for the KOM points?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:34:04+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:34:04.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6fe9366-82a4-11f1-8636-fd4b8eb5d85c\">Healy and Castrillo are back in the Pidcock group, which is now being pulled by Steinhauser, his 3 EF teammates, Healy, Carapaz and Baudin, all on his wheel. Just 3km more to climb until they finally reach the summit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:30:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:30:01.045Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e\">Healy and Castrillo still lead by 10 seconds, as they come to within 5km from the top. It will be interesting to see who goes for the KOM points at the top &#8211; there are points available for each of the first five riders over the top, and with no single rider having stamped their authority on that classification yet, there&#8217;s a chance for someone to do so today. Here are the current rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e-2\">2 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 19<\/p>\n<p>4 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<p>5 Valentin Paret-Peintre 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:23:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:23:28.471Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7be4bd6e-82a3-11f1-92c5-71929dc9e0d5\">Healy and Castrillo have clipped off the front of the breakaway group, as they take on the brief downhill halfway up the Grand Ballon. They&#8217;re 10 seconds ahead of the Pidcock group, which includes over 30 riders, while the peloton continue not to panic at 1:30.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7be4bddc-82a3-11f1-86ed-87281d555b4f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ri7d6zFdNtkHqGgEoBUDZZ.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators atop a Citroen 2CV wave flags as the pack of riders (peloton) cycles past during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:16:39+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:16:39.170Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e\">There\u2019s been talk throughout this Tour of whether Pidcock should ride smartly for GC, or more aggressively and target stage wins. In these past few days, he seems to have found a way to do both simultaneously!<\/p>\n<p>Despite identifying him as a danger after his leap up the GC rankings yesterday, UAE aren\u2019t panicking at his presence in the break, and continue setting a steady tempo to keep his group at 1:15.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s becoming a bit dangerous&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team feeling the heat after Tom Pidcock&#8217;s Tour de France stage 13 raid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:11:40+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:11:40.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d6043786-82a1-11f1-b48a-79c11854ad2d\">15km from the top of the climb, and this large group of about 25 riders is one minute ahead of the peloton. It&#8217;s full out quality climbers who will have designs on either the stage win, the king of the mountains, or both &#8211; Carapaz, Bernal, Arensman, Tiberi, Simmons, Hirschi, Healy, Van Eetvelt, Cattaneo, Rubio, Tobias Halland Johannessen and Jorgenson, Valentin Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p>More significantly of all though, Tom Pidcock is here! There\u2019s no way the GC teams can allow him up the road again now he\u2019s as high as fourth overall.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:03:55+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:03:55.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c0bc6c82-82a0-11f1-88e4-239e86fe3f9c\">A large breakaway group has a gap on the peloton, where UAE are riding tempo. Armirail, Rubio, Carapaz and Paret-Peintre are right towards the front of the group, and among the riders trying to thin it out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:59:21+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:59:21.924Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dabd672-82a0-11f1-99a4-7b4b3ee99e9a\">The riders are on the first climb of the day, the category one Grand Ballon. It\u2019s a very long one, going on for 21.6km, and though it&#8217;s steeper than its average gradient of 4.8% suggests &#8211; that number is skewed by a brief downhill halfway up.<\/p>\n<p>EF are riding the climb with intent, first Healy and then Carapaz upping the pace at the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:54:47+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:54:47.109Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-intermediate-sprint\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-intermediate-sprint\"><span>INTERMEDIATE SPRINT<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc\">Philipsen takes the sprint, ahead of Pedersen, Kanter and Girmay. Girmay had a lead-out man control the sprint, but Girmay looked very tired and lost ground in the finale. Here\u2019s what the rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p>1 Pedersen 397<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc-2\">2 Philipsen 361<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 347<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 255<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:48:10+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:48:10.104Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d406efa-829e-11f1-b3d6-874e2e1fe2f4\">Still Alpecin control the peloton, with no attacks being attempted from the peloton. They&#8217;re all waiting for after the intermediate sprint, which is coming up in just 3km.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:43:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:43:09.111Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9\">Mercifully for the riders, the rain has stopped and they\u2019re greeted by sunshine again.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech are leading the peloton, controlling it for the upcoming intermediate sprint. They still have designs on the green jersey with Jasper Philipsen; here are the current rankings in that classification.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9-2\">1 Pedersen 377<\/p>\n<p>2 Philipsen 336<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 333<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 239<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:37:53+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:37:53.850Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>OFFICIAL START<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1de5242a-829d-11f1-971d-b7783bbe51ce\">And they&#8217;re off! But there are no attacks just yet. It could be that they&#8217;re holding fire until after the day&#8217;s intermediate sprint, which comes just 12km into the stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:34:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:34:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9aec80ae-829c-11f1-8cbf-4da95be4006b\">It&#8217;s a very uncomfortable start for the riders, who are currently being subjected to hailstones! As much as they must have been longing for an easement to the heat at this year&#8217;s Tour, this goes beyond refreshing and looks nasty. Just 1.5km until the start, and the riders can warm themselves up by starting to race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:30:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:30:28.429Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-146cfdce-829c-11f1-8322-a5335a280fe7\">The riders at the start. We&#8217;re preparing for yet another instalment of the rivalry between Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard. Can the latter at last manage to land a blow, having been gotten the better of for such a long time?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-146cfe32-829c-11f1-aba5-737e4631f863\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4tvU9U7MopmfmbeE4GG6k.jpg\" alt=\"Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates XRG and Danish Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike are pictured before stage 14 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 155km from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering, on Saturday 18 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN (Photo by POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:24:19+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:24:19.616Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-38a6301c-829b-11f1-990b-9f8587078503\">There is one DNS to report today &#8211; Alpecin&#8217;s Ramses Debruyne, who became ill last night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2078389799375786437\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2078389799375786437\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Unfortunately, Ramses Debruyne will not start today\u2019s stage of the Tour de France.Ramses developed a sore throat and a fever overnight. The fever makes it impossible for him to continue the race.Our youngster leaves the Tour after an impressive debut, with some strong stage\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/cF7RPYnQ5YJuly 18, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:19:23+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:19:23.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8869f31e-829a-11f1-a76c-4348736a1773\">Who will take inspiration from Mauro Schmid and Jayco-AlUla\u2019s success yesterday? They demonstrated the effectiveness of having multiple riders in the breakaway, as they worked together to help Schmid come out on top. There will be multiple teams and raiders hoping for a repeat of that and doing everything they can to get their men in the day\u2019s break.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We&#8217;ve been waiting for this&#8217; &#8211; Jayco-AlUla celebrate major collective effort at Tour de France to propel Mauro Schmid to breakaway stage victory<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:13:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:13:06.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a78f7378-8299-11f1-a611-0977ba583423\">The riders have just started the neutralised zone. It&#8217;s a long one today, lasting 12.5km, so plenty of time to warm up.<\/p>\n<p>They will need warming up, too. Although the first climb does not come until over 10km into the stage, this is a day where many will want to get into the break, and so the action will likely be hectic right from the flag.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:07:07+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:07:07.824Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d1968072-8298-11f1-bc6a-3da2a77676fa\">There are four mountains today, including three with a rating of category one, all amounting to a total elevation gain of 3,800m. Whereas yesterday\u2019s stage was a mostly flat day ending with one tough climb at the finish, today is a sustained test of climbing, and will therefore suit both the GC riders and the climbing specialists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:59:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:59:17.767Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b95ef8b4-8297-11f1-a737-e7ffa79f2e51\">We\u2019re in the Vosges today, for what will be one of the biggest climbing tests at this Tour so far, culminating in the category one climb of Le Markstein. They\u2019ve had a quiet few days, but the GC riders all come to the forefront today.<\/p>\n<p>Tour de France 2026 stage 14 preview &#8211; Maiden ascent of the Col du Haag as the fourth categorised climb on Saturday expected to propel GC action<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:52:18+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:52:18.898Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571efc-80f1-11f1-9493-0bd2f77dc86e\">Hello and welcome to stage 14 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"ads\" id=\"ads-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-ads widget-ads-content widget-ads-ads-content widget-no-data widget-ads-incontent_ad\">\n<div id=\"bdx_incontent_ad\" data-type=\"ads\" data-ads-type=\"bordeaux\" class=\"incontent_ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"newsletter\" id=\"newsletter\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-newsletter widget-newsletter widget-newsletter-newsletter widget-newsletter-fter\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar widget-empty-sidebar widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-top widget-empty-sidebar-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-top\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-top widget-empty-sidebar-popular-top ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"mostpopular\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-mostpopular widget-dynamic-mostpopular widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZYqysE7z6dYDzERAAKw6Sg.jpg\" alt=\"Zoe Backstedt of Great Britain and Team CANYON\/\/SRAM zondacrypto - White Best Young Rider Jersey competes during the 12th Baloise Ladies Tour 2026 - Stage 3a a 8.4km individual time trial stage from Maaseik to Maaseik on July 18, 2026 in Maaseik, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen\/Getty Images)\" class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Zoe B\u00e4ckstedt wins her second time trial of the week during stage 3a to take the Baloise Ladies Tour lead overall<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Tour de France stage 14 LIVE: Carapaz, Healy, Paret-Peintre, Rubio and the Johannessen brothers lead the race on mountainous day in the Vosges<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He&#8217;s becoming a bit dangerous&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team feeling the heat after Tom Pidcock&#8217;s Tour de France stage 13 raid<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Andorra winner Bjorn Riley edges out Christopher Blevins for a second US mountain bike national title in short track cross-country<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Quizzed on Lance Armstrong&#8217;s Tour de France record comments and Prince of Monaco&#8217;s Vuelta claims, Tadej Poga\u010dar is deftly dealing with the curveballs<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"empty\" id=\"sidebar-popular-bottom\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-empty widget-sidebar-popular-bottom widget-empty-sidebar-popular-bottom ad-unit widget-no-data widget-empty\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero hero-live news-article widget-hero widget-hero-fter-review\">\n<div class=\"clear-both widget-header\">\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 14 LIVE: Carapaz, Healy, Paret-Peintre, Rubio and the Johannessen brothers lead the race on mountainous day in the Vosges<\/h1>\n<h2>Starting in Mulhouse, the 155.3km stage 14 packs 3,800 metres of climbing into a stage short on distance but unrelenting in difficulty, and very likely the moment the GC battle truly ignites at Le Markstein<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Puddicombe <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-stage-14-live-tadej-pogacar-ready-for-battle-as-race-returns-to-the-mountains\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9XgwSFQWDie9gSu8Ux2ZCP.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: A general view of the peloton compete climbing to the Grand Ballon (1331m) during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\" class=\"news-article\">\n<div class=\"header-container\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<header>\n<div class=\"header-sub-container\">\n<h1 class=\"review-title-long live-report\">Tour de France stage 14 LIVE: Carapaz, Healy, Paret-Peintre, Rubio and the Johannessen brothers lead the race on mountainous day in the Vosges<\/h1>\n<h2>Starting in Mulhouse, the 155.3km stage 14 packs 3,800 metres of climbing into a stage short on distance but unrelenting in difficulty, and very likely the moment the GC battle truly ignites at Le Markstein<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Live-reports<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\">\n<span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Puddicombe <\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"inline-block h-3 my-auto border-l border-solid vds-simple-byline__divider max-sm:hidden\"><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\">\n<span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nLast updated<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n18 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><br \/>\n<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"socialite-widget box less-space \" data-contexturl=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-stage-14-live-tadej-pogacar-ready-for-battle-as-race-returns-to-the-mountains\/\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"socialite\">\n<ul class=\"socialite-widget-ul\">\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-facebook\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-twitter\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-pinterest\">\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"socialite-widget-item social-email\">\n<p><i class=\"icon icon-envelope-solid\"><\/i><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)]\"><span>0<\/span> <span class=\"visible hidden sm:inline-block\">Comments<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n    <span class=\"text-[color:var(--comment-count-text-color,inherit)] hidden visible sm:inline-block\">Join the conversation<\/span><\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<figure>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9XgwSFQWDie9gSu8Ux2ZCP.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: A general view of the peloton compete climbing to the Grand Ballon (1331m) during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block-image-ads hero-image w-full\" data-component-name=\"Image\"><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"> <span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: \u00a9 Getty Images)<\/span><br \/>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"pinned-content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-pinned-content widget-contentparsed-pinned-content widget-pinned news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div class=\" article-body \">\n<div class>\n<a id=\"elk-aa571b14-80f1-11f1-b656-afe90a74740e\"><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571b8c-80f1-11f1-bbaa-25e39599a5b1\"><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Everything you need to know<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Route<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571b8c-80f1-11f1-bbaa-25e39599a5b1-2\"><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France &#8211; Contenders<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><strong>2026 Tour de France stage 14 &#8211; Preview<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How to Watch the 2026 Tour de France<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571bfa-80f1-11f1-88ce-a164c8cb6fc8\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-race-situation\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-race-situation\"><span>Race Situation<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a id=\"elk-aa571cd6-80f1-11f1-b14f-7f4672891704\"><\/a><a id=\"elk-have-your-say\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-have-your-say\"><span>Have your say<\/span><\/h3>\n<div id=\"elk-aa571da8-80f1-11f1-b242-6712e9477f35\">\n<div class=\"kwizly-quiz kwizly-W2dr4X\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"live-feed-multipage\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-live-feed-multipage widget-contentparsed-live-feed-multipage news-article widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-default multipage widget-content-parsed-live-feed \">\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:17:06.796Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5c752030-82b3-11f1-92db-e7a339b5d385\">The Pidcock group has been caught, so these 6 riders are the only riders remaining in front of the peloton. They&#8217;ve still got a reasonable lead of two minutes, but you sense they will need more if they&#8217;re to hold off the inevitable Tadej Poga\u010dar charge on the final climb.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5c75208a-82b3-11f1-bfed-35e4a364207b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yRWz8NGoq2gDT7VAWiTkf8.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: (L-R) Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and Team EF Education - EasyPost, Valentin Paret-Peintre of France and Team Soudal Quick-Step compete in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:11:08+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:11:08.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-86ba4fd8-82b2-11f1-89b0-4da043e4df67\">UAE Team Emirates XRG went hard on the Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, and have the Pidcock group within their sights, the catch about to be made.<\/p>\n<p>Their work is also dimming the break&#8217;s chance of survival &#8211; they&#8217;re now only two minutes ahead.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:08:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:08:09.921Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><span>KOM &#8211; BALLON D&#8217;ALSACE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4\">Paret-Peintre does indeed win the sprint, taking it from the front this time, and Carapaz made no real effort to come around him, settling for 2nd place. Here&#8217;s the updated rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Paret-Peintre 43<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4-2\">2 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 38<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:04:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:04:34.064Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b43f4a0-82b1-11f1-a260-af77b9a51aa2\">The sextet at the front is just 1km from the top of the climb. If Paret-Peintre can once again win the sprint for the KOM points, he&#8217;ll take over from Tadej Poga\u010dar at the top of the virtual classification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:00:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:00:51.935Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16e6c566-82b1-11f1-8600-9521b4101197\">Arensman is back in the Pidcock group (pictured), that is still being pulled along by Visma-Lease a Bike. They remain a long way down from the 6 leaders at 1:45, but are still holding off the peloton, which are at 40 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-16e6c610-82b1-11f1-8113-cfe2aa9fcf01\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L4snUb7ys2LG62PnCEfjs4.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: Tom Pidcock of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling competes in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:55:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:55:03.776Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4764d030-82b0-11f1-8bbd-67e1570df903\">It&#8217;s been a relatively straightforward day in the peloton so far for Tadej Poga\u010dar, who remains safely in the peloton. He&#8217;s under some pressure with Pidcock up the road, but his team have things firmly in control, keeping his group at a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, he had a go at bottle fetching, and was full of praise for his teammates at the menial jobs like that which they do for him each day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s a hard job, don&#8217;t be fooled&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar turns bottle-fetcher as he gets a taste of his teammates&#8217; Tour de France workload<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4764d09e-82b0-11f1-b1b6-3d99bba1eb0c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvu8imWdE86JmAnXcufi5E.jpg\" alt=\"UAE Team Emirates - XRG&amp;#039;s Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey cycles with his teammates in the Grand Ballon ascent during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:45:25+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:45:25.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-eea0d594-82ae-11f1-9fe4-e15663278bbc\">Problem for the EF riders in the break! Healy and Carapaz go wrong on the turn onto the Ballon d\u2019Alsace, and are held up. They\u2019ve managed to bridge back up to the other four in the break, but given how this might go down to the wire in terms of survival for the stage win, they can\u2019t afford mishaps like that. As things stand, they remain one minute up on Arensman, two minutes up on the Pidcock group, and 3:15 up on the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:41:54+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:41:54.646Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-70ff0002-82ae-11f1-8086-972ff48afef3\">Today\u2019s stage is the second of three back-to-back tough climbing stages, which could prove decisive in the race for GC. Be sure to have a read of our more in-depth look at them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70ff0070-82ae-11f1-a3d7-8d0dcc7794d0\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5RbDyneNScXnt58GLyRhUM.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: The crowd cheers the peloton during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:37:45+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:37:45.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dcf76426-82ad-11f1-9a12-fdcdd8747ef4\">The weather has taken another turn for the worse, and it\u2019s started pouring down. Bad timing, too, as the heavens have opened as the riders are descending, making these roads especially sketchy. They\u2019re all taking it easily, and thankfully will be at the bottom quite soon, after which they\u2019ll take on the third climb of the day &#8211; Ballon d\u2019Alsace, which was also tackled yesterday.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-dcf76494-82ad-11f1-8b59-53dfdddeddb0\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>\u201cHeavy rain on the descent! Keep your focus!\u201d\n<\/p><figcaption><cite>Visma-Lease a Bike DS<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:33:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:33:17.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3cf3d77a-82ad-11f1-8cf1-e1ef0fd8196a\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:31:00+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:31:00.334Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-col-du-page\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-col-du-page\"><span>KOM &#8211; COL DU PAGE <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8\">It&#8217;s a repeat of the last climb, with Paret-Peintre again out-sprinting Carapaz after Healy led them out. They crest the climb 40 seconds ahead of Arensman, while the Pidcock group is at 1:50 and the peloton (which is still being led by Politt) at 3:05. Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now; this pair are closing in on Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lead<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8-2\">2 Paret-Peintre 33<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 30<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:25:36+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:25:36.032Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29c38192-82ac-11f1-9119-df968a52ccfc\">Rubio has joined the five leaders at the front, but Arensman is further behind still chasing, at 20 seconds. They&#8217;re now only 1km away from the summit &#8211; Carapaz and Paret-Peintre will surely sprint for the points, but will anyone else?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:21:32+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:21:32.592Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-98917b66-82ab-11f1-b71b-25c91ce3fddc\">Visma have decided to press on in the breakaway group, despite the presence of Pidcock in it. Campenaerts has dropped back into the peloton, but Jorgenson and Armirail are working at the front of the group and have built the advantage over the peloton up to 50 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-98917bca-82ab-11f1-baf3-a7c0de832594\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BvzDnRZ44N8U78FNPRkHbU.jpg\" alt=\"Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team&amp;#039;s British rider Tom Pidcock cycles during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:16:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:16:06.787Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-90km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-90km-to-go\"><span>90KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d67866f2-82aa-11f1-8525-d31afd8a1491\">Arensman has had to stop for a mechanical. The Dutch rider is therefore having to go hard to try to chase back up to Rubio, who has struck out alone with his teammate Castrillo having run out of gas. His work was enough to get Rubio to within 25 seconds of the leading quintet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:11:26+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:11:26.009Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f077d9a-82aa-11f1-b063-a75ff6b3d9a8\">The riders are climbing again, up the category two Col du Page. Still UAE lead the peloton, and they&#8217;re keeping the Pidcock group very much in check, at just 40 seconds. The leading quintet is working well together though, and have grown their lead over the peloton to two minutes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2f077df4-82aa-11f1-b380-7d8d8e8c841d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E56V9YnN3AAkRD2Dg3xuj9.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders (peloton) completes its first pass of the finish line area before continuing its loop in the Vosges mountains during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:05:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:05:34.026Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5d34400a-82a9-11f1-9d30-3d4673c5f025\">Visma-Lease a Bike are in a bit of a dilemma here. They\u2019ve succeeded in getting a few of their riders (Jorgenson, Armirail and Campenaerts) up the road and in the break. But should they work at the front, given that they also have GC rival Pidcock in the group with them? The more attacking move would be to ride on and put UAE under pressure, but at present he is having to fight more to fend off those behind on GC than the one man ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Vingegaard has to fight more to stay second than he does to win&#8217; \u2013 Brian Holm sees tough battle ahead for Dane to maintain best of the rest status in Tour de France<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d344082-82a9-11f1-a198-c7fd7e2a577b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VpnCrjE8Q4UvqdLoWQrcyH.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the climber&amp;#039;s dotted &amp;amp;quot;King of the Mountains&amp;amp;quot; jersey awaits the start of the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:01:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:01:51.452Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d894248c-82a8-11f1-8a58-3d2b54c41b50\">The impetus has gone out of the Pidcock group. It&#8217;s now 1:15 down on the leaders, and only 40 or so seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:55:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:55:14.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ebefac46-82a7-11f1-836e-8b2c8e2fbdd6\">The leading five are pulling away from the rest on the descent. A chase group of three containing Arensman, Rubio and Castrillo are 30 seconds behind, but the Pidcock group is now at 1:15, and not working well together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:50:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:50:01.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3159d5f0-82a7-11f1-95db-b34e44ed3ffe\">Carapaz and Paret-Peintre have been joined by Healy and the Johnannessen brothers on the descent, and have pulled out a lead of 25 seconds over the Pidcock group. Meanwhile the peloton is at 1:25.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:44:29+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:44:29.204Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-grand-ballon\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-grand-ballon\"><span>KOM &#8211; GRAND BALLON<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361\">EF attempted to lead out Carapaz for the KOM points at the top with first Steinhauser and then Healy, but Paret-Peintre stole a march on him and beat him in the sprint. That pair have now pressed on down this descent and lead by a few seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361-2\">1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>2 Paret-Peintre 28<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 27<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:39:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:39:03.475Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-a947c01a-82a5-11f1-ad28-ddfa3d199058\">Steinhauser continues to lead the break, as they come to within 1.5km from the top. The peloton is 1:15 behind, with UAE setting tempo. The group remains all together &#8211; who will sprint for the KOM points?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:34:04+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:34:04.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6fe9366-82a4-11f1-8636-fd4b8eb5d85c\">Healy and Castrillo are back in the Pidcock group, which is now being pulled by Steinhauser, his 3 EF teammates, Healy, Carapaz and Baudin, all on his wheel. Just 3km more to climb until they finally reach the summit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:30:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:30:01.045Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e\">Healy and Castrillo still lead by 10 seconds, as they come to within 5km from the top. It will be interesting to see who goes for the KOM points at the top &#8211; there are points available for each of the first five riders over the top, and with no single rider having stamped their authority on that classification yet, there&#8217;s a chance for someone to do so today. Here are the current rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e-2\">2 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 19<\/p>\n<p>4 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<p>5 Valentin Paret-Peintre 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:23:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:23:28.471Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7be4bd6e-82a3-11f1-92c5-71929dc9e0d5\">Healy and Castrillo have clipped off the front of the breakaway group, as they take on the brief downhill halfway up the Grand Ballon. They&#8217;re 10 seconds ahead of the Pidcock group, which includes over 30 riders, while the peloton continue not to panic at 1:30.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7be4bddc-82a3-11f1-86ed-87281d555b4f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ri7d6zFdNtkHqGgEoBUDZZ.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators atop a Citroen 2CV wave flags as the pack of riders (peloton) cycles past during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:16:39+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:16:39.170Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e\">There\u2019s been talk throughout this Tour of whether Pidcock should ride smartly for GC, or more aggressively and target stage wins. In these past few days, he seems to have found a way to do both simultaneously!<\/p>\n<p>Despite identifying him as a danger after his leap up the GC rankings yesterday, UAE aren\u2019t panicking at his presence in the break, and continue setting a steady tempo to keep his group at 1:15.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s becoming a bit dangerous&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team feeling the heat after Tom Pidcock&#8217;s Tour de France stage 13 raid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:11:40+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:11:40.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d6043786-82a1-11f1-b48a-79c11854ad2d\">15km from the top of the climb, and this large group of about 25 riders is one minute ahead of the peloton. It&#8217;s full out quality climbers who will have designs on either the stage win, the king of the mountains, or both &#8211; Carapaz, Bernal, Arensman, Tiberi, Simmons, Hirschi, Healy, Van Eetvelt, Cattaneo, Rubio, Tobias Halland Johannessen and Jorgenson, Valentin Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p>More significantly of all though, Tom Pidcock is here! There\u2019s no way the GC teams can allow him up the road again now he\u2019s as high as fourth overall.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:03:55+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:03:55.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c0bc6c82-82a0-11f1-88e4-239e86fe3f9c\">A large breakaway group has a gap on the peloton, where UAE are riding tempo. Armirail, Rubio, Carapaz and Paret-Peintre are right towards the front of the group, and among the riders trying to thin it out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:59:21+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:59:21.924Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dabd672-82a0-11f1-99a4-7b4b3ee99e9a\">The riders are on the first climb of the day, the category one Grand Ballon. It\u2019s a very long one, going on for 21.6km, and though it&#8217;s steeper than its average gradient of 4.8% suggests &#8211; that number is skewed by a brief downhill halfway up.<\/p>\n<p>EF are riding the climb with intent, first Healy and then Carapaz upping the pace at the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:54:47+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:54:47.109Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-intermediate-sprint\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-intermediate-sprint\"><span>INTERMEDIATE SPRINT<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc\">Philipsen takes the sprint, ahead of Pedersen, Kanter and Girmay. Girmay had a lead-out man control the sprint, but Girmay looked very tired and lost ground in the finale. Here\u2019s what the rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p>1 Pedersen 397<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc-2\">2 Philipsen 361<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 347<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 255<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:48:10+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:48:10.104Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d406efa-829e-11f1-b3d6-874e2e1fe2f4\">Still Alpecin control the peloton, with no attacks being attempted from the peloton. They&#8217;re all waiting for after the intermediate sprint, which is coming up in just 3km.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:43:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:43:09.111Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9\">Mercifully for the riders, the rain has stopped and they\u2019re greeted by sunshine again.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech are leading the peloton, controlling it for the upcoming intermediate sprint. They still have designs on the green jersey with Jasper Philipsen; here are the current rankings in that classification.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9-2\">1 Pedersen 377<\/p>\n<p>2 Philipsen 336<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 333<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 239<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:37:53+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:37:53.850Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>OFFICIAL START<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1de5242a-829d-11f1-971d-b7783bbe51ce\">And they&#8217;re off! But there are no attacks just yet. It could be that they&#8217;re holding fire until after the day&#8217;s intermediate sprint, which comes just 12km into the stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:34:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:34:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9aec80ae-829c-11f1-8cbf-4da95be4006b\">It&#8217;s a very uncomfortable start for the riders, who are currently being subjected to hailstones! As much as they must have been longing for an easement to the heat at this year&#8217;s Tour, this goes beyond refreshing and looks nasty. Just 1.5km until the start, and the riders can warm themselves up by starting to race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:30:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:30:28.429Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-146cfdce-829c-11f1-8322-a5335a280fe7\">The riders at the start. We&#8217;re preparing for yet another instalment of the rivalry between Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard. Can the latter at last manage to land a blow, having been gotten the better of for such a long time?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-146cfe32-829c-11f1-aba5-737e4631f863\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4tvU9U7MopmfmbeE4GG6k.jpg\" alt=\"Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates XRG and Danish Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike are pictured before stage 14 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 155km from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering, on Saturday 18 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN (Photo by POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:24:19+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:24:19.616Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-38a6301c-829b-11f1-990b-9f8587078503\">There is one DNS to report today &#8211; Alpecin&#8217;s Ramses Debruyne, who became ill last night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2078389799375786437\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2078389799375786437\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Unfortunately, Ramses Debruyne will not start today\u2019s stage of the Tour de France.Ramses developed a sore throat and a fever overnight. The fever makes it impossible for him to continue the race.Our youngster leaves the Tour after an impressive debut, with some strong stage\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/cF7RPYnQ5YJuly 18, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:19:23+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:19:23.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8869f31e-829a-11f1-a76c-4348736a1773\">Who will take inspiration from Mauro Schmid and Jayco-AlUla\u2019s success yesterday? They demonstrated the effectiveness of having multiple riders in the breakaway, as they worked together to help Schmid come out on top. There will be multiple teams and raiders hoping for a repeat of that and doing everything they can to get their men in the day\u2019s break.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We&#8217;ve been waiting for this&#8217; &#8211; Jayco-AlUla celebrate major collective effort at Tour de France to propel Mauro Schmid to breakaway stage victory<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:13:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:13:06.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a78f7378-8299-11f1-a611-0977ba583423\">The riders have just started the neutralised zone. It&#8217;s a long one today, lasting 12.5km, so plenty of time to warm up.<\/p>\n<p>They will need warming up, too. Although the first climb does not come until over 10km into the stage, this is a day where many will want to get into the break, and so the action will likely be hectic right from the flag.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:07:07+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:07:07.824Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d1968072-8298-11f1-bc6a-3da2a77676fa\">There are four mountains today, including three with a rating of category one, all amounting to a total elevation gain of 3,800m. Whereas yesterday\u2019s stage was a mostly flat day ending with one tough climb at the finish, today is a sustained test of climbing, and will therefore suit both the GC riders and the climbing specialists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:59:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:59:17.767Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b95ef8b4-8297-11f1-a737-e7ffa79f2e51\">We\u2019re in the Vosges today, for what will be one of the biggest climbing tests at this Tour so far, culminating in the category one climb of Le Markstein. They\u2019ve had a quiet few days, but the GC riders all come to the forefront today.<\/p>\n<p>Tour de France 2026 stage 14 preview &#8211; Maiden ascent of the Col du Haag as the fourth categorised climb on Saturday expected to propel GC action<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:52:18+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:52:18.898Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571efc-80f1-11f1-9493-0bd2f77dc86e\">Hello and welcome to stage 14 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\" article-body \">\n<div id=\"ad-unit-1\" class=\"ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div data-component-name=\"Article:LiveReportUpdater\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:17:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:17:06.796Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-50km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-50km-to-go\"><span>50KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-5c752030-82b3-11f1-92db-e7a339b5d385\">The Pidcock group has been caught, so these 6 riders are the only riders remaining in front of the peloton. They&#8217;ve still got a reasonable lead of two minutes, but you sense they will need more if they&#8217;re to hold off the inevitable Tadej Poga\u010dar charge on the final climb.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5c75208a-82b3-11f1-bfed-35e4a364207b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/yRWz8NGoq2gDT7VAWiTkf8.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: (L-R) Richard Carapaz of Ecuador and Team EF Education - EasyPost, Valentin Paret-Peintre of France and Team Soudal Quick-Step compete in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:11:08+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:11:08.965Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-86ba4fd8-82b2-11f1-89b0-4da043e4df67\">UAE Team Emirates XRG went hard on the Ballon d&#8217;Alsace, and have the Pidcock group within their sights, the catch about to be made.<\/p>\n<p>Their work is also dimming the break&#8217;s chance of survival &#8211; they&#8217;re now only two minutes ahead.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:08:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:08:09.921Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-ballon-d-alsace\"><span>KOM &#8211; BALLON D&#8217;ALSACE<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4\">Paret-Peintre does indeed win the sprint, taking it from the front this time, and Carapaz made no real effort to come around him, settling for 2nd place. Here&#8217;s the updated rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Paret-Peintre 43<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-1bf8ed12-82b2-11f1-900d-ddb53d622ca4-2\">2 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 38<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:04:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:04:34.064Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9b43f4a0-82b1-11f1-a260-af77b9a51aa2\">The sextet at the front is just 1km from the top of the climb. If Paret-Peintre can once again win the sprint for the KOM points, he&#8217;ll take over from Tadej Poga\u010dar at the top of the virtual classification.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T14:00:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T14:00:51.935Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-16e6c566-82b1-11f1-8600-9521b4101197\">Arensman is back in the Pidcock group (pictured), that is still being pulled along by Visma-Lease a Bike. They remain a long way down from the 6 leaders at 1:45, but are still holding off the peloton, which are at 40 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-16e6c610-82b1-11f1-8113-cfe2aa9fcf01\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/L4snUb7ys2LG62PnCEfjs4.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: Tom Pidcock of Great Britain and Team Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling competes in the chase group during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:55:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:55:03.776Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4764d030-82b0-11f1-8bbd-67e1570df903\">It&#8217;s been a relatively straightforward day in the peloton so far for Tadej Poga\u010dar, who remains safely in the peloton. He&#8217;s under some pressure with Pidcock up the road, but his team have things firmly in control, keeping his group at a minute.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday, he had a go at bottle fetching, and was full of praise for his teammates at the menial jobs like that which they do for him each day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s a hard job, don&#8217;t be fooled&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar turns bottle-fetcher as he gets a taste of his teammates&#8217; Tour de France workload<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-4764d09e-82b0-11f1-b1b6-3d99bba1eb0c\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Xvu8imWdE86JmAnXcufi5E.jpg\" alt=\"UAE Team Emirates - XRG&amp;#039;s Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader&amp;#039;s yellow jersey cycles with his teammates in the Grand Ballon ascent during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:45:25+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:45:25.389Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-eea0d594-82ae-11f1-9fe4-e15663278bbc\">Problem for the EF riders in the break! Healy and Carapaz go wrong on the turn onto the Ballon d\u2019Alsace, and are held up. They\u2019ve managed to bridge back up to the other four in the break, but given how this might go down to the wire in terms of survival for the stage win, they can\u2019t afford mishaps like that. As things stand, they remain one minute up on Arensman, two minutes up on the Pidcock group, and 3:15 up on the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:41:54+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:41:54.646Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-70ff0002-82ae-11f1-8086-972ff48afef3\">Today\u2019s stage is the second of three back-to-back tough climbing stages, which could prove decisive in the race for GC. Be sure to have a read of our more in-depth look at them.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We will need to survive as well as possible&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France leader Tadej Poga\u010dar hints at quiet start to tough trio of climbing stages in race<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-70ff0070-82ae-11f1-a3d7-8d0dcc7794d0\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5RbDyneNScXnt58GLyRhUM.jpg\" alt=\"LE MARKSTEIN, FRANCE - JULY 18: The crowd cheers the peloton during the 113th Tour de France 2026 - Stage 14 a 155.3km a 155.3km stage from Mulhouse to Le Markstein 1189m \/ #UCIWT \/ on July 18, 2026 in Le Markstein, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri\/Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:37:45+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:37:45.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-dcf76426-82ad-11f1-9a12-fdcdd8747ef4\">The weather has taken another turn for the worse, and it\u2019s started pouring down. Bad timing, too, as the heavens have opened as the riders are descending, making these roads especially sketchy. They\u2019re all taking it easily, and thankfully will be at the bottom quite soon, after which they\u2019ll take on the third climb of the day &#8211; Ballon d\u2019Alsace, which was also tackled yesterday.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"elk-dcf76494-82ad-11f1-8b59-53dfdddeddb0\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>\u201cHeavy rain on the descent! Keep your focus!\u201d\n<\/p><figcaption><cite>Visma-Lease a Bike DS<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:33:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:33:17.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3cf3d77a-82ad-11f1-8cf1-e1ef0fd8196a\"><strong>Enjoying our live race coverage? Subscribe to Cyclingnews for an all-access pass to our unrivalled reporting of WorldTour racing, bike tech and exclusive in-depth features. Plus, access to the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on-the-go! <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer kiosq-button-layer\"><strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"kiosq-main-layer-container\">\n<div class=\"kiosq-login-button rowCenter\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/strong><\/div>\n<p><strong> <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:31:00+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:31:00.334Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-col-du-page\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-col-du-page\"><span>KOM &#8211; COL DU PAGE <\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8\">It&#8217;s a repeat of the last climb, with Paret-Peintre again out-sprinting Carapaz after Healy led them out. They crest the climb 40 seconds ahead of Arensman, while the Pidcock group is at 1:50 and the peloton (which is still being led by Politt) at 3:05. Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now; this pair are closing in on Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lead<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-eb5c4b22-82ac-11f1-bdfd-57081a2f76b8-2\">2 Paret-Peintre 33<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 30<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:25:36+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:25:36.032Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-29c38192-82ac-11f1-9119-df968a52ccfc\">Rubio has joined the five leaders at the front, but Arensman is further behind still chasing, at 20 seconds. They&#8217;re now only 1km away from the summit &#8211; Carapaz and Paret-Peintre will surely sprint for the points, but will anyone else?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:21:32+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:21:32.592Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-98917b66-82ab-11f1-b71b-25c91ce3fddc\">Visma have decided to press on in the breakaway group, despite the presence of Pidcock in it. Campenaerts has dropped back into the peloton, but Jorgenson and Armirail are working at the front of the group and have built the advantage over the peloton up to 50 seconds.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-98917bca-82ab-11f1-baf3-a7c0de832594\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BvzDnRZ44N8U78FNPRkHbU.jpg\" alt=\"Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team&amp;#039;s British rider Tom Pidcock cycles during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Loic VENANCE \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:16:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:16:06.787Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-90km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-90km-to-go\"><span>90KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d67866f2-82aa-11f1-8525-d31afd8a1491\">Arensman has had to stop for a mechanical. The Dutch rider is therefore having to go hard to try to chase back up to Rubio, who has struck out alone with his teammate Castrillo having run out of gas. His work was enough to get Rubio to within 25 seconds of the leading quintet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:11:26+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:11:26.009Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2f077d9a-82aa-11f1-b063-a75ff6b3d9a8\">The riders are climbing again, up the category two Col du Page. Still UAE lead the peloton, and they&#8217;re keeping the Pidcock group very much in check, at just 40 seconds. The leading quintet is working well together though, and have grown their lead over the peloton to two minutes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-2f077df4-82aa-11f1-b380-7d8d8e8c841d\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/E56V9YnN3AAkRD2Dg3xuj9.jpg\" alt=\"The pack of riders (peloton) completes its first pass of the finish line area before continuing its loop in the Vosges mountains during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:05:34+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:05:34.026Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-5d34400a-82a9-11f1-9d30-3d4673c5f025\">Visma-Lease a Bike are in a bit of a dilemma here. They\u2019ve succeeded in getting a few of their riders (Jorgenson, Armirail and Campenaerts) up the road and in the break. But should they work at the front, given that they also have GC rival Pidcock in the group with them? The more attacking move would be to ride on and put UAE under pressure, but at present he is having to fight more to fend off those behind on GC than the one man ahead of him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Vingegaard has to fight more to stay second than he does to win&#8217; \u2013 Brian Holm sees tough battle ahead for Dane to maintain best of the rest status in Tour de France<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5d344082-82a9-11f1-a198-c7fd7e2a577b\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/VpnCrjE8Q4UvqdLoWQrcyH.jpg\" alt=\"Team Visma | Lease a Bike&amp;#039;s Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard wearing the climber&amp;#039;s dotted &amp;amp;quot;King of the Mountains&amp;amp;quot; jersey awaits the start of the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T13:01:51+00:00\">2026-07-18T13:01:51.452Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-100km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-100km-to-go\"><span>100KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-d894248c-82a8-11f1-8a58-3d2b54c41b50\">The impetus has gone out of the Pidcock group. It&#8217;s now 1:15 down on the leaders, and only 40 or so seconds ahead of the peloton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:55:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:55:14.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ebefac46-82a7-11f1-836e-8b2c8e2fbdd6\">The leading five are pulling away from the rest on the descent. A chase group of three containing Arensman, Rubio and Castrillo are 30 seconds behind, but the Pidcock group is now at 1:15, and not working well together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:50:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:50:01.286Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-3159d5f0-82a7-11f1-95db-b34e44ed3ffe\">Carapaz and Paret-Peintre have been joined by Healy and the Johnannessen brothers on the descent, and have pulled out a lead of 25 seconds over the Pidcock group. Meanwhile the peloton is at 1:25.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:44:29+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:44:29.204Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-kom-grand-ballon\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-kom-grand-ballon\"><span>KOM &#8211; GRAND BALLON<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361\">EF attempted to lead out Carapaz for the KOM points at the top with first Steinhauser and then Healy, but Paret-Peintre stole a march on him and beat him in the sprint. That pair have now pressed on down this descent and lead by a few seconds.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what the KOM rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-6b8da52c-82a6-11f1-9ab7-d3e4bf5a3361-2\">1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p>2 Paret-Peintre 28<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 27<\/p>\n<p>4 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>5 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:39:03+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:39:03.475Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-120km-to-go\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-120km-to-go\"><span>120KM TO GO<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-a947c01a-82a5-11f1-ad28-ddfa3d199058\">Steinhauser continues to lead the break, as they come to within 1.5km from the top. The peloton is 1:15 behind, with UAE setting tempo. The group remains all together &#8211; who will sprint for the KOM points?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:34:04+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:34:04.514Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f6fe9366-82a4-11f1-8636-fd4b8eb5d85c\">Healy and Castrillo are back in the Pidcock group, which is now being pulled by Steinhauser, his 3 EF teammates, Healy, Carapaz and Baudin, all on his wheel. Just 3km more to climb until they finally reach the summit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:30:01+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:30:01.045Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e\">Healy and Castrillo still lead by 10 seconds, as they come to within 5km from the top. It will be interesting to see who goes for the KOM points at the top &#8211; there are points available for each of the first five riders over the top, and with no single rider having stamped their authority on that classification yet, there&#8217;s a chance for someone to do so today. Here are the current rankings:<\/p>\n<p>1 Poga\u010dar 42<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-65ecf05c-82a4-11f1-90f4-cd496969ba7e-2\">2 Vingegaard 27<\/p>\n<p>3 Carapaz 19<\/p>\n<p>4 Pidcock 18<\/p>\n<p>5 Valentin Paret-Peintre 18<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:23:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:23:28.471Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-7be4bd6e-82a3-11f1-92c5-71929dc9e0d5\">Healy and Castrillo have clipped off the front of the breakaway group, as they take on the brief downhill halfway up the Grand Ballon. They&#8217;re 10 seconds ahead of the Pidcock group, which includes over 30 riders, while the peloton continue not to panic at 1:30.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-7be4bddc-82a3-11f1-86ed-87281d555b4f\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ri7d6zFdNtkHqGgEoBUDZZ.jpg\" alt=\"Spectators atop a Citroen 2CV wave flags as the pack of riders (peloton) cycles past during the 14th stage of the 113th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 155,3 km between Mulhouse and Le Markstein in the Vosges mountains, on July 18, 2026. (Photo by Jeff PACHOUD \/ AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:16:39+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:16:39.170Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e\">There\u2019s been talk throughout this Tour of whether Pidcock should ride smartly for GC, or more aggressively and target stage wins. In these past few days, he seems to have found a way to do both simultaneously!<\/p>\n<p>Despite identifying him as a danger after his leap up the GC rankings yesterday, UAE aren\u2019t panicking at his presence in the break, and continue setting a steady tempo to keep his group at 1:15.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-87fd5eae-82a2-11f1-8b94-054ff79a6b8e-2\">&#8216;He&#8217;s becoming a bit dangerous&#8217; &#8211; Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s team feeling the heat after Tom Pidcock&#8217;s Tour de France stage 13 raid<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:11:40+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:11:40.688Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d6043786-82a1-11f1-b48a-79c11854ad2d\">15km from the top of the climb, and this large group of about 25 riders is one minute ahead of the peloton. It&#8217;s full out quality climbers who will have designs on either the stage win, the king of the mountains, or both &#8211; Carapaz, Bernal, Arensman, Tiberi, Simmons, Hirschi, Healy, Van Eetvelt, Cattaneo, Rubio, Tobias Halland Johannessen and Jorgenson, Valentin Paret-Peintre.<\/p>\n<p>More significantly of all though, Tom Pidcock is here! There\u2019s no way the GC teams can allow him up the road again now he\u2019s as high as fourth overall.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T12:03:55+00:00\">2026-07-18T12:03:55.504Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-c0bc6c82-82a0-11f1-88e4-239e86fe3f9c\">A large breakaway group has a gap on the peloton, where UAE are riding tempo. Armirail, Rubio, Carapaz and Paret-Peintre are right towards the front of the group, and among the riders trying to thin it out.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:59:21+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:59:21.924Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-1dabd672-82a0-11f1-99a4-7b4b3ee99e9a\">The riders are on the first climb of the day, the category one Grand Ballon. It\u2019s a very long one, going on for 21.6km, and though it&#8217;s steeper than its average gradient of 4.8% suggests &#8211; that number is skewed by a brief downhill halfway up.<\/p>\n<p>EF are riding the climb with intent, first Healy and then Carapaz upping the pace at the front.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:54:47+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:54:47.109Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-intermediate-sprint\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-intermediate-sprint\"><span>INTERMEDIATE SPRINT<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc\">Philipsen takes the sprint, ahead of Pedersen, Kanter and Girmay. Girmay had a lead-out man control the sprint, but Girmay looked very tired and lost ground in the finale. Here\u2019s what the rankings look like now:<\/p>\n<p>1 Pedersen 397<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-79e230d6-829f-11f1-bdc9-f9a875c580bc-2\">2 Philipsen 361<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 347<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 255<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:48:10+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:48:10.104Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8d406efa-829e-11f1-b3d6-874e2e1fe2f4\">Still Alpecin control the peloton, with no attacks being attempted from the peloton. They&#8217;re all waiting for after the intermediate sprint, which is coming up in just 3km.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:43:09+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:43:09.111Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9\">Mercifully for the riders, the rain has stopped and they\u2019re greeted by sunshine again.<\/p>\n<p>Alpecin-Premier Tech are leading the peloton, controlling it for the upcoming intermediate sprint. They still have designs on the green jersey with Jasper Philipsen; here are the current rankings in that classification.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<p id=\"elk-d9d8399c-829d-11f1-86a9-cdc0e31d54a9-2\">1 Pedersen 377<\/p>\n<p>2 Philipsen 336<\/p>\n<p>3 Girmay 333<\/p>\n<p>4 Merlier 307<\/p>\n<p>5 Kanter 239<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:37:53+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:37:53.850Z<\/time><br \/>\n<a id=\"elk-official-start\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section\" id=\"section-official-start\"><span>OFFICIAL START<\/span><\/h3>\n<p id=\"elk-1de5242a-829d-11f1-971d-b7783bbe51ce\">And they&#8217;re off! But there are no attacks just yet. It could be that they&#8217;re holding fire until after the day&#8217;s intermediate sprint, which comes just 12km into the stage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:34:14+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:34:14.099Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-9aec80ae-829c-11f1-8cbf-4da95be4006b\">It&#8217;s a very uncomfortable start for the riders, who are currently being subjected to hailstones! As much as they must have been longing for an easement to the heat at this year&#8217;s Tour, this goes beyond refreshing and looks nasty. Just 1.5km until the start, and the riders can warm themselves up by starting to race.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:30:28+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:30:28.429Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-146cfdce-829c-11f1-8322-a5335a280fe7\">The riders at the start. We&#8217;re preparing for yet another instalment of the rivalry between Tadej Poga\u010dar and Jonas Vingegaard. Can the latter at last manage to land a blow, having been gotten the better of for such a long time?<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-146cfe32-829c-11f1-aba5-737e4631f863\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/M4tvU9U7MopmfmbeE4GG6k.jpg\" alt=\"Slovenian Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates XRG and Danish Jonas Vingegaard of Team Visma-Lease a Bike are pictured before stage 14 of the 2026 Tour de France cycling race, a stage of 155km from Mulhouse to Le Markstein Fellering, on Saturday 18 July 2026. The 113th edition of the Tour de France starts on Saturday 4 July in Barcelona, Spain, and will finish in Paris, France on the 26th of July. BELGA PHOTO POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN (Photo by POOL GREGORY VAN GANSEN \/ BELGA MAG \/ Belga via AFP)\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] inline\">\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:24:19+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:24:19.616Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-38a6301c-829b-11f1-990b-9f8587078503\">There is one DNS to report today &#8211; Alpecin&#8217;s Ramses Debruyne, who became ill last night.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more see-more--clipped\" id=\"elk-2078389799375786437\">\n<figure>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet hawk-ignore\" data-lang=\"en\" cite=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cantworkitout\/status\/2078389799375786437\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Unfortunately, Ramses Debruyne will not start today\u2019s stage of the Tour de France.Ramses developed a sore throat and a fever overnight. The fever makes it impossible for him to continue the race.Our youngster leaves the Tour after an impressive debut, with some strong stage\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/cF7RPYnQ5YJuly 18, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"see-more__filter\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:19:23+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:19:23.766Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-8869f31e-829a-11f1-a76c-4348736a1773\">Who will take inspiration from Mauro Schmid and Jayco-AlUla\u2019s success yesterday? They demonstrated the effectiveness of having multiple riders in the breakaway, as they worked together to help Schmid come out on top. There will be multiple teams and raiders hoping for a repeat of that and doing everything they can to get their men in the day\u2019s break.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;We&#8217;ve been waiting for this&#8217; &#8211; Jayco-AlUla celebrate major collective effort at Tour de France to propel Mauro Schmid to breakaway stage victory<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:13:06+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:13:06.818Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-a78f7378-8299-11f1-a611-0977ba583423\">The riders have just started the neutralised zone. It&#8217;s a long one today, lasting 12.5km, so plenty of time to warm up.<\/p>\n<p>They will need warming up, too. Although the first climb does not come until over 10km into the stage, this is a day where many will want to get into the break, and so the action will likely be hectic right from the flag.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T11:07:07+00:00\">2026-07-18T11:07:07.824Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d1968072-8298-11f1-bc6a-3da2a77676fa\">There are four mountains today, including three with a rating of category one, all amounting to a total elevation gain of 3,800m. Whereas yesterday\u2019s stage was a mostly flat day ending with one tough climb at the finish, today is a sustained test of climbing, and will therefore suit both the GC riders and the climbing specialists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:59:17+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:59:17.767Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b95ef8b4-8297-11f1-a737-e7ffa79f2e51\">We\u2019re in the Vosges today, for what will be one of the biggest climbing tests at this Tour so far, culminating in the category one climb of Le Markstein. They\u2019ve had a quiet few days, but the GC riders all come to the forefront today.<\/p>\n<p>Tour de France 2026 stage 14 preview &#8211; Maiden ascent of the Col du Haag as the fourth categorised climb on Saturday expected to propel GC action<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"><\/a><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"><\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<time class=\"no-wrap live-feed-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:52:18+00:00\">2026-07-18T10:52:18.898Z<\/time><\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-aa571efc-80f1-11f1-9493-0bd2f77dc86e\">Hello and welcome to stage 14 of the Tour de France!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"live-feed-ad-unit ad-unit\"><\/div>\n<div id=\"viafoura-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"relative h-(--truncate-height) sm:h-(--truncate-desktop-height) overflow-hidden transition-[height] duration-150\" data-test-id=\"container\" data-component-name=\"Util:Truncate\" id=\"viafoura-comments-container\">\n<div class=\"relative z-10 viafoura rounded-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\" id=\"viafoura-comment-wrapper\" data-test-id=\"content\">\n<div class=\"viafoura\">\n<div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute bg-gradient-to-t from-[var(--truncate-gradient-color,white)] from-50% h-28 z-20 w-full bottom-0 flex items-end justify-center px-0 rounded-none\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"related-articles-block\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/live\/tour-de-france-stage-14-live-tadej-pogacar-ready-for-battle-as-race-returns-to-the-mountains\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9XgwSFQWDie9gSu8Ux2ZCP-1024-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Massive breakaway shakes up the race for the overall podium 2 As it happened: Breakaway holds off charging bunch on Tour de France stage 9 as former world champion wins in Ussel 3 As it happened: GC race explodes into life on the climbs of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2049875","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049875","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2049875"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049875\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2049875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2049875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2049875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}