TALLARD, France (AP) β The Tour de France pack is off and racing under cloudy skies from Tallard, southeast France’s parachuting capital, toward the city of Nimes, known for its Roman arena and bullfighting.
Sunday’s stage offers some relief after two agonizing rides in the Alps: Stage 15 is a flat 222 kilometers (138 miles) before riders take the second rest day.
Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali tightened his grasp of the race leader’s yellow jersey over the two-day spree into the snow-capped mountains.
With nearly indomitable climbing skill, the 29-year-old Astana team leader has shown he’s the man to beat in the three-week race that ends on Paris’ Champs-Elysees next Sunday.
More grueling climbs loom in the Pyrenees this week before the only individual time trial this Tour β on Saturday.
