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Tour de France 2016: Stage 14

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Welcome to our full daily live coverage of the Tour de France. We will again follow all the action of the stage and provide information, comments and photos post stage. 

Today's stage is over 208.5km from and heads north through the Rhone valley. The stage will start 15 minutes earlier than scheduled due to a strong head wind along much of the route. 

At the start in a packed Montelimar, the riders are about to line up. They have been grabbing a last coffee and saying hello to family and friends A huge section of noisy Colombian fans have given every Colombian rider a special cheer. 

As the dust settles on two intense days of racing to Mont Ventoux and then the important 37km time trial to La Caverne du Pont-d'Arc, today's stage is a chance for a breakaway or perhaps a final chance for the sprinter's before the trip to Switzerland for the Bern finish and the decisive Alpine stages.  

Chris Froome extended his overall lead in the time trial yesterday and has now a significant advantage on his rivals. What he failed to gain in the Pyrenees and on Ventoux, he took in the time trial with a strong performance.  

This was the stage result yesterday and shows how well Froome rode to take second behind Tom Dumoulin (Giant) and how much time he took on his rivals. Most are not even in the top ten on the stage. 

This is the new GC after the time trial. 

Before the start the UCI has again been carrying out bike checks with its famous blue tablet. 

The riders have lined up quietly today and held a minute's silence to remember the victims of the Nice attack.  

The riders have rolled out of Montelimar and face a 5.5km neutralised section before the official start of the racing.

As we recalled in this story yesterday, the riders -despite the fatigue and intensity of the Tour de France, were affected by what happened in Nice.

A total of 187 riders are left in the race. Sadly several riders crashed in the time trial, including Edward Theuns (Trek-Segafredo), who fractured his T12 vertebra. He is due to undergo surgery to stablise the fracture. 

The flag has dropped and the race is live! 

For now there are no attacks in the race. The strong head winds will make attacks difficult and there have also been suggestions that the riders will not race as a sign of respect following the Nice attack.   

This is an interesting statistic and perhaps confirms the globalisation of cycling in recent years.  

Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) wears the special red race number today after being nominated as the most aggressive or winner of the Prix de la Combatiivite on stage 12. 

200km remaining from 208km

This was the scene before the start of the stage as the riders respected a minutes silence to remember the victims of the Nice attack.

The riders are spread across the road, with no one team setting the pace. Nobody wants to go on the attack just yet.  

193km remaining from 208km

This is the profile of today's 208.5km stage There are some early climbs but the finish suits the sprinters.

De Gendt jumped off the front of the peloton but only to take the points on the 4th category  Cote de Puy-Saint-Martin climb. He is now back in the peloton.  

He scored a point for his effort, taking his total to 91 points.

Rafa Majka is second with 77 points and could perhaps make a challenge during Sunday's tough and mountainous stage to Culoz.

De Gendt proudly wore the polka-dot jersey during Friday's time trial. 

From the Cyclingnews blimp we can see the peloton grouped tightly together as they ride into the headwind. They are currently riding at just 30km/h.

The sun is warming the riders but the wind is blowing at between 40km/h and 60km/h. 

We have an attack! 

Jérémy Roy (FDJ) was the first to attack, jumping away at the 28.5km mark.

The four have come together to form the early break of the day. 

176km remaining from 208km

It seems the race organisers were right to start the stage early, the strong head wind and lack attacks meant the average speed for the first hour was 30.4km/h.

The gap for the four attackers is up to 3:00.   

With today's stage suiting the sprinters, it is up the strongest sprint teams to pick up the chase of the break. For now only Etixx has placed some riders on the front to keep the gap under control.  

None of the four attackers are a threat to Chris Froome's yellow jersey. Martin Elmiger is the best placed of the four but he is at a massive 1:31:38.  

168km remaining from 208km

The four are riding in a min echelon as they fight the wind that is blowing from their right side.

Other teams are starting to help with the chase of the break. Natnael Berhane (Dimension Data) and Lars Bak (Lotto-Soudal) are also taking turns on the front to work for their sprinters Mark Cavendish and Andre Greipel. 

Today's Greipel's 34th birthday. The gentile German has yet to win a stage in this year's Tour de France.  

However Marcel Sieberg has promised to help his teammate in an eventual sprint today.

158km remaining from 208km

Geraint Thomas is in a domestique role at this year's Tour de France after struggling ealy in the race. He spoke briefly before the start of the stage and was hoping for a quiet day in the peloton.

We have the first images of the breakaway. Here the USA's Alex Howes (Cannondale-Drapac) leads the quartet as they work to stay away from the peloton. 

The green Cannondale-Drapac is in the break today, chasing a stage result after focusing on protecting Pierre Rolland for much of the race. Howes is on the attack for the second time this Tour. If the sprinters' team do not catch the break, he could have a chance of victory.  

The break remains out front but the gap has stabilised at 4:30. The peloton and the sprinter's teams are keeping the break under control by setting a steady pace.   

Race leader Chris Froome is tucked safely on the wheel of his Team Sky teammates. They are lined to near the front.  

Warren Barguil (Giant) is slowed by a flat but quickly changes a wheel and is off chasing the peloton.

The break and the peloton are riding through the French countryside with fields of sunflowers bowing their heads in the strong head wind.

The average speed is still low at 34km/h. The peloton is chasing the break, with three riders on the front from Dimension Data, Lotto Soudal and Etixx-QuickStep.

With 120km to ride, the race is approaching two Cat 4 climbs as they head towards Lyon. The Cote de Four-a-Chaux climb  os 3.6km long at 4.2%. 

115km remaining from 208km

Leading the chase at the head of the peloton are Lars Bak (Lotto Soudal), Petr Vakoc (Etixx) and Natnael Berhane (Dimnsion Data). Team Sky and the peloton is lined out behind them.   

Alex Howes (Cannondale) is the first to the summit of the climb and so takes the one climber's point.

This time it was Benedetti first to the top of the cat 4 climb. He also took a point for his effort but the four riders in the break are working smoothly together.   

We are now at the half-way point of the stage.

99km remaining from 208km

The lead of the break continues to fall gradually as the peloton leads the chase. H gap is down to 3:20. 

After the break, the peloton has also reached the feed zone and is also collecting their lunch in musettes. Riders are changing their bottles and seeing what the team soigneurs have prepared for lunch in the pocket-sized sandwiches and snacks. Most will keep any energy bars and gels for the finale of the stage.

The feed zone is often the point were riders quit the race and today Mathias Frank IAM) has abandoned the Tour de France  due to gastroenteritis. He finished eighth overall last year but his race is over for this year.

Trek-Segafredo manager Luca Guercilena spoke to Italian television before the start. He was angry about the chaos on the stage to Mont Ventoux, when Mollema gained time but ten saw Froome and Porte be given the same time.

Before the start of the stage Nairo Quintana was quizzed about the video that showed him holding onto a motorbike in the chaotic moment on Ventoux.

Roger Hammond, director of Dimension Data, spoke to the press ahead of the stage today saying that he expects Mark Cavendish to do well in the expected sprint in Villars-les-Dombes.

Organisers started today's stage 15 minutes early to make up for the expected block headwind. That will make it hard for this breakaway to stay away, and the sprinter teams will take full advantage of that.

The field just crossed the 10km to the intermediate sprint banner, so we may see a sprint from green jersey Peter Sagan (Tinkoff), who will want to pick up the remaining points after the breakaway grabs the first four spots.

The intermediate sprint is located in La Fayette at the 145.5km mark.

And the breakaway riders are sprinting for the sprint points and prize money.

It was Bora-Argon 18's Cesar Benedetti who took the honours in that sprint.

The main field are 1km away from the intermediate sprint, and teams are setting up their sprinters for the rest of the points.

It looks like Marcel Kittel, Mark Cavendish, Bryan Coquard and green jersey Peter Sagan are going for the points.

It was Sagan who took the sprint followed by Kittel.

Benedetti, Roy, Howes and Elmiger are pushing on but their gap is dropping, down to 2:15 with 60km to go.

Benedetti picked up 20 points in that intermediate sprint, Howes took 17, Roy took 15 and Elmiger 13. Sagan got the 11 points for fifth place and Kittel 10.

Before the start today, Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) said that today is a transition stage but that he expects an exciting sprint to take place.

The gap to the breakaway has been cut in half, down to 1:10 with 50km to go.

40km remaining from 208km

Sadly Matti Breschel (Cannondale) has crashed hard and been taken to hospital by ambulance. 

Initial reports say he is not seriously injured despite being taken away by ambulance. 

After two intense stages, Froome sat safely on his teammates wheels today.  

Today's stage finishes in Villars-les-Dombes, in the centre of  new bird park called the Parc des Oiseaux.

The Etixx team has helped the chase today and is riding for Marcel Kittel in one of the final sprint stages of this year's Tour. 

This is the first time the Tour de France has finished in the bird park but a stage of the Critérium du Dauphiné finished here last year, with Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) dominating the power sprint.  

The final 30km weaves through the fields to the east of Lyon but the final 10km are on mostly straight roads, with just a left turn at 5.5km to go and then a right turn at 3km to go. 

27km remaining from 208km

Much of the stage has cut through fields of grain and sunflowers.

The peloton can see the four breakaways now as they fight the strong wind.

21km remaining from 208km

The four riders in the break had chance to enjoy the many fields of sunflowers today. They were stunning in the sun today. 

The BMC team is massing on the front, riding to protect Tejay van Garderen and Richie Porte.   

16km remaining from 208km

Who is your tip to win today? Cavendish? Kittel? Greipel? How about Kristoff? Or even Sam Bennett or Bora-Argon 18? He's recovered from his nasty crash in the early days.

Howes has eased up from the break and is about to be caught by the peloton. The other three riders are perhaps fighting for the Combativite prize and the special red number for stage 15. 

The could be hectic today as the teams fight for position. There will be the sprinters' teams and the GC teams' all fighting for the same piece of road. 

11km remaining from 208km

Other contenders for today's sprint finish? How about Britain's Dan Mclay (Fortuneo) or Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie)? 

10km remaining from 208km

Elmiger and Roy have accelerated from Benedetti, leaving two riders up front.

7km remaining from 208km

The huge crowds are helping protect the riders from the wind but the speed will explode very soon.

The peloton is travelling 10km/h faster than the two attackers.

Five teams are lined out across the road in the peloton. Sky is on the left, BMC in the middle and Etixx on the right.

5km remaining from 208km

4km remaining from 208km

The breakaway riders are struggling now and sit up. 

Behind several riders have sat up, forming small dropped groups. 

Upfront Elminger and Roy shake hands and sit up. Gruppo Compatto! Sprint time!

Katusha leads the peloton through the 3km to go corner. Cofidis is also up front, as Dimension Data and Etixx wait. 

Now Etixx punch through to the front on the right of the road. 

A wave through the peloton leaves some riders on the grass but all stay up. 

1km remaining from 208km

Cavendish is up there, Sagan too. As in Mclay.

1km remaining from 208km

Katusha and Lotto lead it out. Etixx is there too.  

Kittel gets a perfect lead out but goes too early and is passed. 

Cavendish comes past him but so do other riders. It's a photo finish.

Kittel was angry with Cavendish and protested but he had already lost his chance. 

Kristoff and Greipel are also close, as is Sagan but it seems that Cavendish got it.

The overhead shot shows that Cavendish hit the line first, winning by a few inches.

It's a fourth win for Cavendish in this Tour. 

The judges are doubt looking at the sprint to see if Cavendish damaged Kittel's sprint.  

This is the provisional top ten:

Looking at replays, Cavendish flicked his wheel but nothing more. Kittel made the mistake of also moving towards Cavendish who was in front of him.

Cavendish rode a perfect finale because he managed to get on Kittel's wheel and then came past him after the final curve in sight of the line.

Peter Sagan was an excellent third today behind Kristoff. 

John Degenkolb (Giant) also showed his speed by finishing fourth. 

Chris Froome (Team Sky) finished safely in the pack and so keeps his overall race lead. 

Cavendish has now won four stages in this year's Tour de France and 30 during his career.  

Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) was content with second and praised Cavendish.  

Cavendish and Froome are in the podium area. Cavendish is celebrating with Dimension Data team owner Doug Ryder, while Froome is warming down from the stage on the rollers under the shade of an umbrella.

Cavendish also talked about his sprint. 

Cavendish also spoke about his clash with Kittel, saying:

Cavendish has collected the glory for his fourth stage win on the podium. Stay with us for the first images of his sprint.

Just like every day, we'll have a full stage report and huge photo gallery, plus news and interviews from our reporters at the finish.

This is the first image of Cavendish's victory, as he indicates, its his fourth this Tour. Chapeau sir! 

riders quickly disappeared onto the team buses after the 208km stage into the head wind but Richie Porte spoke briefly at the finish about the stage and the return to the mountains on Sunday.

This is a great side on shot of Cavendish hitting the finish line first. 

Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) finished seventh in the sprint but praised fellow track rider Mark Cavendish on his victory.

Cavendish had to wait for official confirmation of his fourth victory but then was happy when he heard the news from race officials ho escort the winner's to the podium area.

To read what all the riders said today post stage, click on our special Finish line quotes page. 

Chris Froome had quiet day in the peloton but is already thinking of Sunday's tough mountain stage to Culoz.   

Cavendish took the major honours today thanks to his excellent sprint finish but Jeremy Roy (FDJ) was awarded the Prix de la Combativite prize as most aggressive rider of the stage.

This image captures Kittel's anger with Cavendish after he almost touched the Manxman's wheel and went down. The race judges decided not to take any action. 

This was the image a split second before as the sprinters spread across the road. However Cavendish had the best line to the finish and won.

For more great images like that one, visit our report page and photo gallery. 

If you saw the video of Nairo Quintana (Movistar) holding onto the Mavic neutral service motorbike, then you should read what the Colombian said this morning to explain his move. 

Kittel has suggested that the judges made the wrong call by letting Cavendish keep his victory. 

Despite Kittel's lament, the judges communique  was pretty clear: Nothing to report today.    

That's about it for our live coverage from the stage. Check out Cyclingnews for a full stage report and photo gallery and news and interviews with Cavendish, Froome, Kittel and others. 

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