Tim Wellens claimed victory in the 15th stage of the Tour de France on Sunday, showcasing an impressive performance as he sped down towards Carcassonne. This win, Wellens’s first stage victory at the Tour, allows him to join the ranks of the 113 riders who have achieved stage wins in all three Grand Tours.
Wellens expressed his joy after the race, stating, “I had the opportunity, I took it, and I had legs to finish it, but of course I trade my victory directly for a yellow with Tadej in Paris.” His teammate, three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogačar, retained the yellow jersey, maintaining a significant lead of 4:13 over Jonas Vingegaard and 7:53 over Florian Lipowitz.
The stage, which stretched for 105 miles from Muret to Carcassonne, was marked by chaos early on due to a crash involving multiple riders, including Julian Alaphilippe and Lipowitz. Alaphilippe appeared to have sustained an injury but was clear to continue racing.
Wellens was part of a breakaway group of four riders, including Victor Campenaerts, Michael Storer, and Quinn Simmons. He made a decisive move on the last climb, saying, “On the last climb of the day, I felt really good.” This allowed him to outpace his competitors to finish 1 minute and 28 seconds ahead of Campenaerts.
Interestingly, Alaphilippe celebrated what he thought was a stage win in a sprint against Wout van Aert and Axel Laurance, only to learn that he had finished behind Wellens and Campenaerts due to his racing team’s communication issues after the early crash.
As the Tour de France approaches its final week, the cyclists will enjoy a well-deserved rest day on Monday before continuing their battle toward Paris. The competitive spirit remains high, especially as Pogačar seeks to secure his lead for an eventual victory in the race.
Overall, the event encapsulates the unpredictable and thrilling nature of cycling, underscoring the perseverance and determination of the athletes as they navigate both physical challenges and unforeseen obstacles.