Tim Wellens won the fifteenth stage of the Tour de France on Sunday. The Belgian helper of Tadej Pogacar was by far the best of a breakaway group. Mathieu van der Poel did good business in the fight for the green jersey.
The 34-year-old Wellens got rid of his fellow escapees 43 kilometers from the finish in Carcassonne. The Belgian champion extended his lead and soloed unthreatened to victory. Well before the finish line he could clench his fist.
Victor Campenaerts crossed the line in second place, one and a half minutes behind, completing a Belgian one-two. Julian Alaphilippe beat Wout van Aert in the sprint for third place and cheered as if he had won the stage.
Thus it is again party at UAE Emirates. Leader Pogacar himself had a carefree day and saw his yellow jersey not threatened for a moment. He still has more than four minutes ahead of number two Jonas Vingegaard.
Monday is the second rest day in this Tour de France. Tuesday’s stage finishes on the mythical Mont Ventoux.
Van der Poel shows himself again
In the middle part of the 170 kilometer long stage through southern France were some climbs. That made the ride ideal for escapees. In the first hours the demarrages tumbled over each other.
Van der Poel also rode in a group for a while, but could not ultimately interfere with the fight for the stage victory. He did win the intermediate sprint. ‘MVDP’ reduced his gap to green jersey wearer Jonathan Milan to 41 points.
Wellens’ victory was already the fifth Belgian victory in this Tour de France. Earlier, Jasper Philipsen, Tim Merlier (twice) and Remco Evenepoel booked a daily success.
With his victory, Wellens also completed a trilogy of stage victories in major tours. He already won two stages in the Giro d’Italia (2016 and 2018) and two in the Vuelta a España (2020). Now there is a fine victory in the Tour de France.