Ruben Plaza claimed stage 16 of this year’s Tour de France on Monday in Gap after jumping clear of a breakaway group on the final climb of the day
ADVERTISEMENTRuben Plaza claimed stage 16 of this year’s Tour de France on Monday in Gap after jumping clear of a breakaway group on the final climb of the day.
The stage took the peloton over a 201 kilometre trek starting in Bourg de Peage.
After multiple attacks early on – a group of 23 riders pulled away to make the main break of the day.
Green jersey holder Peter Sagan of the Tinkoff-SAxo team was in that group as was Spanish veteran Plaza.
Behind the escapees title hopeful Vincenzo Nibali reminded everyone of his climbing skills leaving overall race leader Chris Froome in his wake on the final climb of the day.
Out in front Plaza timed his move to perfection and burst clear up the slopes of the final category two Col de Manse.
He managed to hold off the chasing Sagan down the hair-raising descent to take the stage win.
Slovakia’s Sagan took second place – again – extending his advantage in the Green Jersey competition.
Despite losing his trusty lieutenant Geraint Thomas in a fall on the last climb, 2013 champion Froome managed to keep most of his rivals in check to maintain his overall race lead.
Nairo Quintana remains second, three minutes 10 seconds behind heading into Tuesday’s much needed rest day before tackling the alps on Wednesday.