In Mende, the favorites are wary of the final

"We can have some small differences between the favorites". Christopher Froome knows it, the stage of this Saturday can become the referee of a Tour de France dominated by his team, the Sky. "The finish will not be easy, there may be some attacks, the last time I think it was in 2015, and it was an Englishman, Steve Cummings who was imposed, "remembers the British.

See also: Peter Sagan wins the 13th stage in the sprint

The memory of the quadruple winner of the Tour de France is not wrong. Fourteenth stage of the Great Loop 2015, Steve Cummings wins in Mende at the end of a bewildering comeback. While a French victory, with either Thibaut Pinot or Romain Bardet seems to take shape, the Brit returns like a ball to style the French on the post. The duo tricolor had however exploded the peloton attacking but the lack of cooperation leaves Cummings win.

Another moment of history in the coast of the New Cross: the 14th stage of the Tour 1995. In the terrible climb of 3 kilometers to 10% average, Laurent Jalabert deposited his opponents with a pedal stroke. A blazing acceleration for a red-white victory on July 14th. This moment has forged the career of the current consultant at France Télévisions.

Scratching time

So this Saturday, the famous coast can book some nice surprises in a rather bland Tour. The fighters will finally be highlighted in this hilly course and littered with pbades. A stage victory is to be expected among this type of riders. But most importantly, the favorites could scrounge a few seconds. "There will be another battle at the top of the wall in Mende," says Romain Bardet (AG2R The World), fifth at 3'07 Geraint Thomas (Sky). The yellow jersey recalls Mende cheerfully: "Last time, I was not too bad in Mende, I remember it was a very difficult three-kilometer climb, a ten-minute effort. background".

Mikel Landa best placed Movistar rider (6th at 3'13), is also waiting for an eventful stage where everyone will try his luck: "The climb to Mende is a difficult arrival, especially as it will be the 14th stage of the race, there may be some surprises, so it suits me so I hope I can get by. " Same story with another leader in the ranking, Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb, 3rd at 1'50): "If I have an opportunity tomorrow (note: this Saturday), I'll grab it. It is a short climb but I hope there will be differences in my favor of course.I am satisfied with my condition. "

If the Alpe d'Huez has reserved a very high level sports content , the 14th stage could play a decision-making role. Especially when Christopher Froome announces to be of attack: "It would be my pleasure to impose myself but it is not easy."