Stage 13: Muret > Rodez, 198.5km
Greg Van Avermaet and Peter Sagan have become known lately in cycling circles as men who often finish second, so when both moved clear of the pack on the final hill of the avenue de Saint-Pierre in Rodez this afternoon, to contest the victory, it was the creation of a paradox. Two perennial second place men going for the win. I suppose you could say that with Van Avermaet crossing the line first, it was Sagan who pipped him for the second place win! Of course, Sagan won't see the humour in that.
The second place finish for Sagan did allow him to retain his Green jersey lead having lost it unofficially on the road when André Greipel pipped him in the intermediate sprint. The only other real moment of note in the stage was the heavy crash of last years runner up, Jean-Christophe Péraud, who managed to get back up again with his skin ripped to pieces and chase his way back into the peloton.
The hill at the finish was noteworthy enough that the top contenders all got near the front with Chris Froome leading home the top nine overall in positions 6 through 14, though not all in GC order.
| Result: | Classement: |
| 1. Van Avermaet (BMC) in 4h 43' 42" 2. Sagan (TSC) s.t. 3. Bakelants (ALM) +3" 4. Degenklob (TGA) +7" 5. Martens (TLJ) 6. Froome (SKY) all s.t. | 1. Froome (SKY) in 51h 34' 21" 2. Van Garderen (BMC) +2' 52" 3. Quintana (MOV) +3' 09" 4. Valverde (MOV) +3' 58" 5. Thomas (SKY) +4' 03" 6. Contador (TSC) +4' 04" |
