Tour de France: Michael Matthews claims brilliant stage 14 win as Jonas Vingegaard keeps lead
- Published
Matthews' stage win was his first at the Tour de France for five years
Australian Michael Matthews produced a brilliant ride to win a tough and hilly stage 14 of the Tour de France from Saint-Etienne to Mende.
The 31-year-old escaped in a 23-man break early in the 192.5km route.
Matthews was passed by Alberto Bettiol on the final climb, but recovered and overhauled the Italian to clinch the fourth Tour stage win of his career.
Jonas Vingegaard retained the yellow jersey after holding off attacks from defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
Pogacar's first attempt to isolate the Dane caused chaos in the peloton almost as soon as the stage started, and he tried to take time off him again on the way up the famous Cote de la Croix Neuve just before the finish.
Vingegaard stuck to Pogacar's wheel throughout, however, and did the same when the Slovenian sprinted for the line.
Geraint Thomas lost 17 seconds to the top two, but actually strengthened his position on the podium - he is still third and now 18 seconds ahead of Romain Bardet, who also suffered on the final climb.
Matthews, who is renowned for his sprinting rather than his ability in the mountains, was expected to do the same but instead he found the energy to claim a famous victory.
"I wanted to show everyone that I am not just a sprinter, I can also ride like I rode today," Matthews said.
"I was just thinking of my daughter on that final climb the whole way up to the finish, and my wife, for how much sacrifice they make for me to make my dreams come true.
"Hopefully today I showed them the reason why we sacrifice so much.
"This was for my daughter today. She's four years old and I really just wanted to show her why I'm away all the time and what I do it for. Today was that day."
Stage 14 results
1. Michael Matthews (Aus/Team BikeExchange-Jayco) 4hrs 30mins 53secs
2. Alberto Bettiol (Ita/EF Education-Easypost) +15secs
3. Thibaut Pinot (Fra/Groupama - FDJ) +34secs
4. Marc Soler (Spa/UAE Team Emirates) +50s
5. Patrick Konrad (Aut/BORA-hansgrohe) +58s
6. Jakob Fuglsang (Den/Israel - Premier Tech) Same time
7. Felix Grossschartner (Aut/BORA-hansgrohe) +1:06
8. Lennard Kamna (Ger/BORA-hansgrohe) +1:12
9. Simon Geschke (Ger/Cofidis) Same time
10. Louis Meintjes (SA/Intermarche-Wanty)
General classification after stage 14
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo-Visma) 55hrs 31mins 01secs
2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) +2mins 22secs
3. Geraint Thomas (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +2mins 43secs
4. Romain Bardet (Fra/Team DSM) +3mins 01secs
5. Adam Yates (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +4mins 06secs
6. Nairo Quintana (Col/Arkea-Samsic) +4mins 15secs
7. Louis Meintjes (SA/Intermarche-Wanty) +4mins 24secs
8. David Gaudu (Fra/Groupama-FDJ) same time
9. Tom Pidcock (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +8mins 49secs
10. Enric Mas (Spa/Movistar) +9mins 58secs