Geraint Thomas outsprinted Tom Dumoulin to win Stage 12 of the 2018, becoming the first yellow jersey holder to win atop L’Alpe de Huez.
Stage 12 started out fast, with the peloton covering the first 23km in just about 23 minutes. There wasn’t really a chance for a break to get away until the base of the Col de Madeleine, when a group of 30 was able to escape. In that group were Martinez, Rolland (EF Education First), Latour (AG2R La Mondiale), Ten Dam (Sunweb), Barguil, Bouet, Gesbert, Moinard (Fortuneo-Samsic), G. Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida), Nieve (Mitchelton-Scott), Amador, Valverde (Movistar), Van Garderen (BMC), Alaphilippe (Quick-Step Floors), Majka, Muhlberger, Pöstlberger (Bora-Hansgrohe), Hansen (Astana), Pauwels (Dimension Data), Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin), Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Kruijswijk, Gesink (Lotto NL-Jumbo), Calmejane, Sicard (Direct Energie), Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Navarro, Perez, Edet (Cofidis), Minaard (Wanty-Groupe Gobert).
Steven Kruijswijk and Julian Alaphilippe traded the lead throughout most of the stage until 73km to go when Kruijswijk went solo.
Kruijswijk led through a good portion of the stage, staying out front until the final kilometers on the Alpe d’Huez.
Vincezo Nibali attacked the peloton first, but was brought back by Sky. Romain Bardet attacked next and pursued Kruijswijk for a while. Chris Froome atttacked too, passing Bardet before being brought back by Tom Dumoulin.
Kruijswijk is caught with about 3km to go and the run for the finish was down to Dumoulin, Thomas, Froome and Bardet.
Kruijswijk trailed just behind the leaders, riding with Vincenzo Nibali, who had a minor crash.
Inside 1km, Mikel Landa attacked, but was quickly marked by Thomas. The sprint came down to a contest between Thomas and Dumoulin, with Thomas crossing first – the first yellow jersey to ever win an Alpe d’Huez stage.
2018 Tour de France Stage 12 Brief Results:
- Geraint Thomas (Sky) at 5h18’37”
- Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) at 2″
- Romain Bardet (Ag2r) at 3″
- Chris Froome (Sky) at 4″
- Mikel Landa (Movistar) at 7″
- Primoz Roglic (LottoNL) at 13″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) s.t.
General Classification After Stage 12:
- Geraint Thomas (Sky) at 49h24’43”
- Chris Froome (Sky) at 1’38”
- Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) at 1’50”
- Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) at 2’37”
- Primoz Roglic (LottoNL-Jumbo) at 2’46”
- Romain Bardet (Ag2r) at 3’07”
- Mikel Landa (Movistar) at 3’13”
- Steven Kruijswijk (LottoNL) at 3’43”
- Nairo Quintana (Movistar) at 4’13”
- Daniel Martin (UAE Team Emirates) at 5’11”
Ron is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
Websites:
Bike World News
Ron’s Bike Garage
Current Bike Quiver:
Bird Bikes Zero 29 29″ hardtail mountain bike
Commencal Absolut 26″ Dirt Jump/Pump Track bike
Commencal Tempo 29″ full suspension mountain bike
Felt ZA 700c race bike
Kona Kilauea vintage 26″ mountain bike
Niner RLT9 700c road/gravel bike
Specialized Stumpjumper vintage 26″ mountain bike
Day Job: Digital Marketing
Night Job: Digital Marketing, eCommerce Consultant, Web Consultant, Bike Shop Operator, Husband, Dad, Tenor
Discover more from Bike World News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.