ToT: Magnus Cort Nielsen won the 15th stage

At the end of the second week of competition of the Great Loop, the riders had to cross the stage of Millau in Carcassonne, 181,5 km long. There were three mountain bonuses on the road for cyclists, including the climb to Pic de Nore, a little over 40 kilometers before the finish line. Experts have speculated that today the defenders will be fighting again for step gains, albeit the so – called "second knives."

Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) decided to take a rather daring attack, which moved alone and quickly took a few minutes ahead of the rest of the stakes. Behind him was a group of about 30 cyclists, including two Poles: Rafał Majka and Paweł Poljański (Bora-Hansgrohe), as well as their teammate Peter Sagan. At 115 kilometers from the finish line, they lost against a solitary runner for about a minute and a half, while the squad, in which all squads left, lost more than six minutes

. a half-minute advantage over the pack. Before the podium under the Pic de Nore for the solo start decided to another driver Direct Energie Fabien Grellier and quickly gained several seconds in advance. After a while, Julien Bernard (Trek-Segafredo) came to him and in the lead, two Frenchmen started to climb the top of the mountain

Six kilometers before the summit, Rafał Majka reached them, which ripped off the group and proceeded alone. The Pole's attack proved effective and the Bora-Hansgrohe cyclist was the first to enter the mountain bonus. He was 26 seconds ahead of Magnus Cort Nielsen (Astana) and Bauke Mollema (Trek), who were already behind him.

Unfortunately, in jumps, Majka lost a bit and fifteen kilometers before the finish line, he was caught in a chase group. Finally, three cyclists fought for victory: Jon Izaguirre (Bahrain Merida), Nielsen and Mollema. The best of them after an emotional finish was Magnus Cort Nielsen. Rafał Majka controlled the finish line in eighth position

The peloton lost several minutes at the top, but there were no major changes in the overall standings. Geraint Thomas of the Sky team remained the leader.