Overview
Stage 16 of the Tour de France featured a mostly flat route ending with the challenging Mont Ventoux climb. Tactical errors by Lidl-Trek cost their sprinter Johnny Milan crucial points, while the stage win went to Parapenthre after a dynamic and aggressive finale.
Stage Profile and Key Features
- The stage was 170 km (110 miles), flat until the final 30 km with the iconic Mont Ventoux climb (8.5% average, 18.5 km long).
- Pure climbers and general classification (GC) favorites were expected to contest the final.
Team Tactics and Race Dynamics
- Pre-stage: Lidl-Trek was expected to control the race for Johnny Milan’s intermediate sprint points.
- Michael Woods and others predicted an easily controllable stage, which did not materialize due to tactical mistakes.
- Lidl-Trek failed to support Milan for intermediate sprints, forcing him to chase attacks and burn energy.
- Quinn Simmons expressed lack of faith in team tactics post-stage 15, indicating internal team unrest.
Intermediate Sprints and Early Breaks
- Yonas Abraansen won the intermediate sprint; Milan missed out on points.
- Multiple attacks and disorganization allowed a large breakaway to form, with little Lidl-Trek presence.
- Teams like UAE, Bahrain Victorious, and Soudal Quick-Step contributed to controlling or animating the race.
Mont Ventoux Climb and Final Kilometers
- Six strong climbers reached the base of Mont Ventoux, with Enric Mas attacking solo.
- Chasers included Parapenthre and Ben Healey, who eventually caught and surpassed Mas.
- In the final kilometers, Ben Healey attacked, but Parapenthre countered for the stage win.
- GC favorites Vingegaard and Pogacar battled behind, with Pogacar gaining a few seconds.
Key Results and Implications
- Parapenthre won the stage, followed by Ben Healey and Santiago Buitrago.
- Pogacar finished fifth, closing the green jersey points gap to Milan (now 11 points behind).
- Lidl-Trek’s tactical errors left Milan unsupported, and Mads Pedersen's absence was lamented.
- Mathieu van der Poel did not start stage 16 due to illness, impacting the competition for the green jersey.
Decisions
- Lidl-Trek failed to support their sprinter for intermediate and final points.
Action Items
- TBD – Lidl-Trek: Reevaluate race tactics for remaining stages to support Johnny Milan’s green jersey ambitions.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Will Lidl-Trek adjust their approach to support Milan in future intermediate sprints and stage finishes?
- How will Mathieu van der Poel’s absence affect the points classification in the remaining stages?