Frenchman Warren Barguil (Sunweb) was victorious on Stage 13 of the Tour de France on Friday, out-sprinting Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) on a technical finale out of a breakaway group of four riders that also included Team Sky’s Mikel Landa.
The finish in Foix came at the conclusion of a short but difficult day — only 100 kilometers, but with three Category 1 climbs. The finish came after the descent of the final climb, the Mur de Péguère, and a 10km flat run-in. The final kilometer delivered multiple corners, requiring the winner of the day be not only strong, but technically astute.
Behind the breakway, white jersey Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) and Dan Martin (Quick-Step Floors) battled to maintain a narrow gap over a chase group of GC contenders. After a combative final descent off the Mur de Péguère, the duo crossed the line 1:39 behind the Barguil group but nine seconds ahead of the yellow jersey group containing Fabio Aru (Astana), Chris Froome and Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky), Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac), Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale) and Louis Meintjes (UAE Team Emirates).
Landa moved up a position on the general classification for his efforts on Stage 13, now just 1:09 behind Aru, while Quintana moved into eighth overall, 2:07 down. Aru retains yellow, with six seconds over Froome.
Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), winner of the Criterium du Dauphine in June and a critical domestique for Aru, was forced to abandon after a Stage 11 crash resulted in a fractured wrist and elbow.
- Warren Barguil (Sunweb) prepared for what would be an intense but brief stage in the mountains. The leaders finished in just over 2:30.
- Yet another day with incredible views in the mountains.
- Alberto Contador was awarded most aggressive rider on the 100 kilometer stage for his breakaway instigation with Mikel Landa (Sky).
- The breakaway undertook a stretch of road in the absence of spectators.
- A focused Serge Pauwels (Dimension Data).
- Alexey Lutsenko (Astana) up the Mur de Péguère.
- The yellow jersey group.
- There was a lot of looking around within the GC group on Stage 13 from Saint-Girons to Foix.
- The loyal domestique Michal Kwiatkowski (Team Sky) led the yellow jersey group.
- Sprinter Dan McLay (Fortuneo-Oscaro) has has been having a good outing at his first Tour de France.
- The polka dots worn by Barguil, followed by Nairo Quintana of Movistar.
- George Bennett (Lotto NL-Jumbo) suffered, losing 2:20 to the main GC group, dropping to 11th overall.
- Barguil began his sprint but already had a gap on Contador due to his cornering skill.
- The first French win on Bastille Day since 1995.