Latvian cyclist Toms Skujiņš (“Trek-Segafredo”) took the 91st place in the 18th stage of the “Tour de France” on Thursday, which included five climbs of different categories, but the victory was shared by two Ineos Grenadiers riders, the first to cross the finish line for Pole Mihals. Kvjatkovskim.
On Thursday, cyclists in the section with a start in Meribel for 175 kilometers were waiting for one highest category, two first and one second and third category ascent.
The winner of the stage, Kvjatkovskis, finished with four hours, 47 minutes and 33 seconds. The same time for his Ecuadorian teammate Richard Karapas. Third was Jumbo-Visma, Belgium’s Vouts van Aerts, one minute and 51 seconds behind.
The high sixth place was won by Rujijs Porte from Skujiņš ‘teammate from Australia, who lost one minute and 54 seconds to the winner.
Herringbone finished 91st, 28 minutes and 51 seconds behind Kvjatkovskis. The second Latvian cyclist Krists Neilands (“Israel Start-Up Nation”) took the 103rd place 31 minutes and 25 seconds behind the winner.
Primožs Rogličs from Slovenia (“Jumbo-Visma”), who is ahead of his compatriot Tadeja Pogačar (UAE) by 57 seconds and Miguel Angela Lopel (“Astana Pro”) from Colombia, by 57 seconds, maintained the leading position in the overall standings.
Herring takes 80th place with more than three hours and 44 minutes behind the leader, but Neilands loses more than four hours to the leader and ranks 87th.
Skujiņš has slipped two places lower and is 17th with 24 points, but Neilands is in the 49th position. 36th place for Skujiņš and 86th place for Neiland.
In the overall team test, the Skujiņa unit for the leader “Movistar” loses more than an hour and a half and takes the sixth place.
Last year’s champion Egan Bernals from Colombia (“Ineos Grenadiers”) has already been reported to have left the competition on Wednesday due to back problems.
On Thursday, his teammate Klyatkowski won the stage, but Karapass became the leader in the ranking of the mountain king.
“My legs felt better than ever, but the ride with Karapasa was just incredible,” said the former world champion from Poland.
“When Bernal left the race, he was very sad, but wished us a good sequel, and now we have this wonderful day,” he said. “It’s the Tour de France,” he radiated.
In the fight for victory in the overall standings, a lot will be decided on Saturday’s individual race.
For Neiland, this is his debut in France, but Skujiņš is participating in this competition for the third year in a row.
The Tour de France, which is rightly considered one of the largest sporting events in the world, is celebrating its 107th anniversary this year.
Last year, Skujiņš finished ninth in the 17th stage, but in 2018, he finished fifth in one of the stages, as well as rode in the mountain king’s shirt for several stages. Last year, Skujiņš finished in the 81st position in the overall rating.
The last time two Latvians were together in the “Tour de France” was in 2002. At that time, Arvis Piziks and Raivis Belohvoščiks each rode in their team.
In total, the French tour is scheduled for 21 stages this year, finishing on September 20 in the Champs Elysées.
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