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The threat of Covid-19 is great in the Tour de France peloton
Michael Matthews completed a phenomenal ride to claim his fourth Tour de France stage win and his first in five years. It took 40km and two category climbs to form a breakaway of 23 riders, with Matthews being the only member of Team BikeExchange-Jayco.
Knowing that others around him were preparing their plans, Matthews attacked with 50km to go. It was an exceptional tactical decision as he was joined by three other riders before edging out of the break. On the final climb, Matthews was caught by Alberto Bettiol, but he called on his reserves to climb the summit first and roll over the final 1.5km to claim his victory.
In the race for the general classification, Tadej Pogacar held onto yellow jersey wearer Jonas Vingegaard before launching some failed attacks at the Cote de la Croix Neuve Montee Jalabert. He didn’t gain time on the Dane, who will keep the jersey for the final stage of week two tomorrow.
Relive the action of Stage 14 of the Tour de France:
Tour de France 2022: Reaction from Matthews
Michael Matthews spoke to reporters after winning stage 14 of the 2022 Tour de France.
“I think it’s pretty much the story of my career,” he said, “I’ve had so many roller coasters up and down, but my wife and daughter always believed me.
“How many times have I been knocked down, but I always get up?
“This was for my daughter today; she’s four years old and i just wanted to show her why i’m gone all the time and what i’m doing it for. And today was that day.”
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:40 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Michael Matthews wins stage 14
(EPO)
(REUTERS)
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:37 p.m
Tour de France 2022: overall standings
Louis Meintjes moves up from 14th at the start of the stage to seventh at the end. An incredible drive from the South African.
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 55 hrs 31’01”
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +2’22”
3. Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) +2’43”
4. Romain Bardet (Team DSM) +3’01”
5. Adam Yates (Ineos Grenadiers) +4’06”
6. Nario Quintana (Team Arkea-Samsic) +4’15”
7. Louis Meintjes (Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) +4’24”
8. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +4’24”
9. Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) +8’49”
10. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) +9’58”
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:33 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Michael Matthews wins stage 14
(REUTERS)
(AFP via Getty Images)
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:21 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Michael Matthews wins stage 14 as Pogacar and Vingegaard race to finish
Tadej Pogacar tries to pull away from Jonas Vingegaard but doesn’t make a dent in the yellow jersey’s time gap. Both cross the finish line together about 12 minutes and 30 seconds behind Michael Matthews.
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:20 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Stage 14
Michael Matthews won the stage but there is a second race as Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard race up the final climb.
Pogacar is looking to catch up somewhat with Vingegaard’s lead in the GC standings but so far the yellow jersey holder has been up to the task.
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:13 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Michael Matthews wins stage 14!
Alberto Bettiol crosses the finish line second with Thibaut Pinot third.
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:08 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Michael Matthews wins stage 14!
What a climb from Michael Matthews, he launched his attack a quarter of the stage from the end and was caught by Alberto Bettiol on the final climb.
He had to dig deep but managed to beat the Italian to the top of the mountain before going off to win the stage!
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:07 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Stage 14
1.5 km to go: Michael Matthews holds on as Alberto Bettiol tries to drop him. Bettiol is five or six bike lengths ahead, but Matthews is closing.
As the incline eases, Matthews sneaks ahead and is the first to traverse the summit to reach the KOM point.
However, he only has the finish line in view.
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:05 p.m
Tour de France 2022: Stage 14
2.5 km to go: Alberto Bettiol is bombing this final climb, catching up with Matthews and going to overtake him. Bettiol and Matthews are now 35 seconds ahead of the others.
The gradient is 13%, the temperature is almost 40 degrees Celsius and there is still 1 km to the summit.
Michael JonesJuly 16, 2022 4:01 p.m
