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Tour de France stage 18 - Live coverage

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Bonjour and welcome to the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 18 of the Tour de France.

As the Cyclingnews blimp takes height over the Alps, the riders are signing on the stunning ski resort of Meribel.

Today's stage is 175km long but the riders face a 21km neutralised sector as they descent the valley from Meribel. The stage will actually start in Moutiers.

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We're expecting to see a real fight to get in the break of the day as soon as the flag drops and the stage begins. Later there could also be attacks on the key climbs before the fast descent to the finish in La Roche-sur-Foron, close to the border with Switzerland. 

Marc Hirschi is just one of the stronger riders looking to get in the early attack.

This is what the riders face today.

As you may have seen, Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) claimed the queen stage 17 of the Tour de France on the Col de la Loze on Wednesday, powering away from a select group on the punishingly steep slopes of the ascent to the Méribel ski station to celebrate the stage victory and a new third-place position in the overall standings.

To read our full stage 17 report and to see the full results and our 50-image photo gallery, click this link. 

This was the top ten at the summit of the Col de la Loze.

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General Classification
PlaceRider (Country) TeamResult
1Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma74:56:04
2Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates00:00:57
3Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno (Col) Astana Pro Team00:01:26
4Richie Porte (Aus) Trek-Segafredo00:03:05
5Adam Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott00:03:14
6Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Pro Cycling00:03:24
7Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Bahrain McLaren00:03:27
8Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar Team00:04:18
9Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Jumbo-Visma00:07:23
10Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team00:09:31

Due to the different time gap on the Col de la Loze, this is how the new top ten on GC looks: 

Swipe to scroll horizontally
General Classification
PlaceRider (Country) TeamResult
1Primoz Roglic (Slo) Team Jumbo-Visma74:56:04
2Tadej Pogacar (Slo) UAE Team Emirates00:00:57
3Miguel Angel Lopez Moreno (Col) Astana Pro Team00:01:26
4Richie Porte (Aus) Trek-Segafredo00:03:05
5Adam Yates (GBr) Mitchelton-Scott00:03:14
6Rigoberto Uran (Col) EF Pro Cycling00:03:24
7Mikel Landa Meana (Spa) Bahrain McLaren00:03:27
8Enric Mas Nicolau (Spa) Movistar Team00:04:18
9Tom Dumoulin (Ned) Team Jumbo-Visma00:07:23
10Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Movistar Team00:09:31

The five categorised climbs means there are a haul of mountain points awarded during the stage and the polka-dot KOM jersey is up for grabs.

Ineos Grenadiers sign on now but they are without team leader Egan Bernal, who did not start yesterday's stage.

There are five minutes to the roll out now. The riders are gathered at the start, under a warm September sun. 

5-4-3-2-1. They're off! The riders roll out of Meribel.

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The riders are on the hairpin descent from Meribel. Roglic is on the front of the peloton. He is more and more the patron of the race.

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The only non-starter today is Jens Debusschere of B&B Hotels, who finished outside the time limit yesterday.

Here's Tadej Pogacar in the polka-dot jersey at the start. 

4km to the official start. 

The riders are on the valley road now and tucked in behind the red race director's car.

Sam Bennett is up front in the green points jersey.

The intelligent breakaway riders will probably wait until after the intermediate sprint.

Here we go. Race director Christian Prudhomme drops the flag and the stage is officially underway. 

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The riders are on the wide valley highway and so it is difficult to get away.

After the loss of Jens Debusschere there are 150 riders in the race today.

Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept)  crossed the line at the Col de la Loze 35:45 behind the stage winner. 

168km to go

There are 32 riders in the front group. 

The peloton is 35 seconds behind, with Tony Martin riding for Jumbo. 

Bennett, Sagan and Trentin are upfront in the attack and ready to fight for the intermediate sprint.

Bora duo Kamna and Schachmann are now trying to go across to the group. 

1km to the sprint. This will be a real battle.

Jungels leads out Bennett, with Trentin and Sagan on his wheel.

Bennett wins it! Ahead of Trentin and then Sagan. 

The official results confirm that Bennett takes the sprint and so scores 20 points. Trentin scored 17 and Sagan 15. 

There are 50 points awarded on the flat stages and so Bennett now has a significant lead in the green points jersey. It is surely now is to lose.

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Here is the video of the sprint. 

The 32-rider attack has pushed out their lead to 1:30 now. 

B&B Hotels missed the attack and Pierre Rolland is not there, so they are trying to chase the attack down.  

B&B bring Kämna and Schachmann back but they face a hard chase. 

A lot of the 32 riders in the attack are working to keep the speed high. That is making it hard for B&B, even as the road begins to rise as the 18km-long Cormet de Roselend nears. 

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By missing the attack, B&B are doing the early work for Jumbo and race leader Roglic.

As the climb starts, the peloton is 1:40 back and B&B seem to have missed their chance to close down the attack. Rolland could try to jump across but that is a very big ask. 

Total have also missed the attack and so are also chasing. their speed is starting to spit the sprinters out of the back. 

The Cormet de Roselend is a gradual 6% climb up the side of the mountain. It is not steep but is long and takes the riders up t o1986m.  

Behind Rolland has attacked with a teammate. Alaphilippe is also there, as is Kamna and Romain Sicard of Total. 

The chasers are 1:00 behind now, with the peloton at 1:35.

Jumbo is leading the peloton and closed down other surges, including one futile surge by Guillaume Martin. 

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Other riders are trying to attack from the peloton now, including Caruso, Hirt from CCC and Warren Barguil of Arkea. 

Caruso catches and passes the Alaphilippe/Rolland group and goes away from them. 

Jonathan Castroviejo is dragging the break along because Ineos have 4 good riders in the attack. 

The speed is hurting lots of riders. 

How do you like then polka-dots? 

As the gradient of the Cormet de Roselend eases, Hirt and Carthy jump away from the peloton. 

There is still over 7km to climb on the Cormet de Roselend. It's an early hour of pain. 

Caruso is on a charge and is about to get across to the front group. 

This is the break of the day.

There are 130 rider in the peloton as Jumbo set the pace with 5km to go. 

The road cuts up the side of the mountains, creating stunning views across the Alps. 

The final Alpine stage of the 2020 Tour is another roller coaster with four big climbs, with barely any respite in the 4,000m of climbing. Indeed a late change to the route means there are close to 4600m of climbing, making it the stage with the most altitude of climbing of this year's race.  

The climb up to the Plateau de Glières is a tough climb 6km at 11.2%. It is followed by a rolling gravel section through the plateau. 

Back on the Cormet de Roselend, the attackers are 1.5km from the summit.

Behind Primoz Roglic is safely tucked in the wheel of his Jumbo teammates.

Further back, Caleb Ewan is 7:00 back and riding with teammates Frison and Kluge. The gruppetto is at 5:00.  

The riders left in the attack are: 

Carapaz attacks for the KOM points.

But Hirschi is on his wheel and beats him to the line. 

Hirschi scored ten points, with Carapaz taking 8. 

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123km to go

This was the sprint for the KOM points.

The races passes near the Lac de Roselend, offering some stunning views.

They are also racing on the fast descent. 

Hirschi and Carapaz have pushed on and opened a 20-second lead on the long descent. 

The riders climb the short 3rd category Côte de la Route des Villes. There really is little flat road today. It's either up high into the Alps or down into the valleys. 

Ineos are taking on the race and splitting the attack. 

There are five riders up front now, with Kwiatkowski, Bilbao and Edet joining Carapaz and Hirschi at the head of the race.

Kwiatkowski is driving this break along and he's shown some clear intent today. He's probably Ineos' strongest rider in the race - on a consistent level - even though Carapaz is on the attack for the third day running. So far it looks as though Ineos are trying to set up the former Giro winner once again.

Hirschi was top at the Côte de la route des Villes, so picks up another two points. He's a real contender for the KOM jersey if the break can stay away for the rest of the stage. Carapaz is just a few points behind though. 

We only have a short section in the valley before we start climbing the Col des Saisies. We've got just under 100km to go but this climb is a brute at 14.6km in length and an average gradient of more than 6 per cent. 

We're onto the climb and Hirschi drops back to the team car for some gels. He's up against it today, with two Ineos riders in this break but he's taken maximum points so far. This climb will give us a real indication though as to whether he can really take on Giro winner Carapaz - who has been on the attack three days running.

Quintana, who was dropped earlier, came back but has now been dropped again. He dropped down to 15th yesterday.

Back with  the bunch and Robert Gesink continues to tap out a steady pace. The bunch are 4'40 down on the five leaders.

The Jumbo Visma pace at the front of the peloton is too much for Sagan and now Alaphilippe, as George Bennett comes up and gives Gesink a rest.

With the Giro Rosa going on , don't forget to head over to our dedicated section for women's cycling. It's right here and it's jam-packed with news, tech, interviews, and race reports.

It's all about containment for Visma right now, as they hold the break at five minutes. We've got 90km to go on the stage and 7km on this climb. 

The Caruso/De Gendt group is about 58 seconds behind our five leaders but only a few riders are working and the Belgian tries to up the pace.

De Gendt is getting a lot of help from LL Sanchez and the pair are dropping riders like flies from this second group on the road. The bad new is that the five leaders still have a minute.

About 3km to go until we reach the summit and Edet is slipping back from the leading group. Cofidis have put so much into this year's Tour but it's just not really happened for them. So far...

It's time for another Hirschi Carapaz KOM sprint.

Yet again Hirschi wins it thanks to his faster sprint. He sweeps up 5 points. 

The remains of the attack also reach the summit of the Col des Saisies but are 1:35 down on the leading 4 riders.

Crash for Hirschi on the descent.

His rear wheel slipped out and he slid along on his left side. Fortunately he went in to the grass on the side of the road. 

Just before Hirschi had been arguing with Carapaz and Kwiatkowski about who did the work.

Behind the Jumbo lead peloton passes over the summit of the Col des Saisies, some 5:45 back.  

73km to go

Hirschi is 45 seconds behind now. He still needs a bike change. 

This is the Hirschi crash. Fortunately he was not injured. 

The CN blimp is flying near the Aravis Massif as the riders begin the climb of the Col des Aravis.

Edet managed to get back up to Carapaz, Kwiatkowski and Bilbao but as the road rises, he drops off the back again. 

In the GC battle the stage has so far been a day of study and waiting for the Plateau de Glières. 

There are still six 'killer wasps' on the front of the peloton, including Roglic.

60km to go

The attackers have 2.5km climb on the Col des Aravis.

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There are again large crowds on the summit of the Aravis, sadly some are shouting loudly at the riders and not wearing masks correctly. 

Carapaz edges away and takes the 12 KOM points at the summit of the Col des Aravis. Bilbao was second and scores  8 points. Kwiatkowski was third and scores 6 points.

Behind Nairo Quintana has been distanced from the peloton. The Colombian has been suffering after crashing earlier in the Tour.   

The remains of the break reach the summit of the Aravis but they have slipped to 4L:30 back. The peloton is still climbing and is at 8:30.

There are only 90 or so riders in the peloton as many grab bidons and musettes at the summit.

Jumbo-Visma seem in total control of the peloton and their GC rivals so far.

38km to go

Here we go. It's time for the Plateau de Glières climb. It's Hors Category, not for it's short at 6km but is very steep at an average of 11.2%. 

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In the GC peloton its a real sprint to the foot of the Plateau de Glières. Everyone knows position is vital for the final climb.  

This is the steep profile of the Plateau de Glières.

Race on! Suddenly Bahrain McLaren surge away from the GC peloton, with Poels riding to set-up Landa. 

Bahrain rode to set-up Landa yesterday on the Col de la Loze but then he suffered and was distanced. 

Upfront the Ineos duo of Carapaz and Kwiatokowski have distanced Bilbao. 

Landa is riding in his usual position, with his hands on the drops but out of the saddle.

However the pace is hurting. Uran is suffering and is distanced.

There is still 33km to race and so Uran could drop down the top ten. 

Landa is cutting through the early breakaway riders like a  hot knife through butter. 

Landa started the stage in 7th overall but is pulling back time and is virtually up to fourth overall.   

The pace set by Wout van Aert is once again hurting other team leaders and climbers.

Van Aert is a mutant in the way he can sprint, climb and even win cyclo-cross races.

There are only 8 riders in the GC group: Primoz Roglic, Tom Dumoulin, Sepp Kuss, Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 

At the summit of the Plateau de Glières Carapaz and Kwiatkowski ride together and hit the dirt sector. 

Behind Landa leads the GC group by 20 seconds but he is not going away. 

On the dirt road the two Ineos riders satay sat in the saddle to stop wheel slip and the risk of crashes.  

Behind Caruso is pacing Landa but the Roglic group closes them down with Pogacar on the front as they near the summit.

The GC riders hit the 2km dirt sector. 

Pogacar is pushing the speed on the dirt sector. Roglic follows him. 

Puncture for Porte! 

Roglic is upping the pace on the dirt climb. but there is still 27km to race.

Roglic is pulled back but only Pogacar, Lopez, Mas and a few others are with him. 

Kuss is back with Roglic.

20km to go

Porte is in a group with Dumoulin, Van Aert, Caruso and Verona at around 40 seconds.

Adam Yates is a further minute back, with other GC riders scattered across the fields of the Plateau de Glières.

Roglic is still setting the pace on the descent, he doesn't want other riders to get back on. 

Up front Carapaz and Kwiatkowski are still working together. 

The two Ineos riders will soon have to decide who wins the stage. Carapaz is the new  leader of the  mountains competition, so will he let Kwiato win? 

With Roglic are Landa, Lopez, Pogacar, Kuss and Mas.

Pelo Bilbao has been swept up by the Roglic group and so is helping Landa hold off the Porte chase group. 

Jumbo have opted to help Porte get back on, with van Aert and Dumoulin sharing the work. That will help the Dutchman stay in the top ten and then perhaps climb even higher in Saturday's time trial.    

Up front Michal Kwiatkowski and Richard Carapaz are at summit of the Col des Fleuries. 

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Porte's return means he is 2:40 ahead of Adam Yates now and 3:00 ahead of Uran. That will help his GC hopes.

Carapaz and Kwiatkowski are just 4km from the finish. 

Carapaz will pull on the polka-dot jersey and so perhaps Kwiatkowski will get the stage. 

Last km. 

Carapaz and Kwiatkowski hug each other and begin celebrating.  

Kwiatkowski wins the stage but the two finished together. 

The photo finish is needed to con firm it as they two crossed the line together in celebration.

Behind the GC rider sprint in. 

Wout van Aert sprints to take third and the 4 bonus seconds.

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Here comes the Yates and Uran group. They've lost around 2:40. 

The photo finish confirms Michał Kwiatkowski as the stage winner but its a special day for Ineos after losing team leader Egan Bernal yesterday. 

This is the top ten for the stage:

This is the new GC: 

This is the shot of Carapaz and Kwiatkowski finishing together.

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That was another entertaining stage, even if little happened in the fight for the yellow jersey.

Kwiato was emotional about his stage win.

Asked if he had a message for team leader Egan Bernal watching from home after he abandoned the Tour, he said: 

We have some great photographs of Kwiatkowski and Carapaz celebrating together.

A group containing Nairo Quintana finishes some 29:00 down. 

Here's Kwiato talking about his stage win and Ineos's big day out.

Sam Bennett has also made it home inside the time limit. He keeps his green points jersey.

Sam Bennett and his sprint shadow Peter Sagan

(Image credit: Getty Images)
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Here's another shot of Carapaz and Kwiatkowski.

Not everyone enjoyed the day. Adam Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Rigoberto Uran (EF) lost 2:40 in the GC race. 

Primoz Roglic was happy to keep the yellow jersey. Friday's stage is for the sprinters or a breakaway, while Saturday's time trial will now surely crown Roglic as the 2020 Tour de France winner for Sunday's ride into Paris. 

Roglic said he didn't know about Porte's puncture.

Here's Roglic as he pushed the pace on the dirt roads of the Plateau de Glières.

Kwiatkowski movingly dedicated the Ineos 1-2 to the late Nicolas Portal, their former directeur sportif who passed away suddenly in March. 

Ineos also celebrated Richard Carapaz taking the polkadot jersey. 

To read our full stage report and see our growing photo gallery and full reports, click the link below.

The report has details of all the action. There was even an intruder at the finish  today but he was swiftly dealt with by race staff and police. 

WE also have results and reports from the women's Giro Rosa and the other races held today. 

We'll be back on Friday with full live coverage of stage 19 from Bourg-en-Bresse to Champagnole.  

Team UAE Emirates rider Slovenias Tadej Pogacar wearing the best climbers polka dot jersey L and Team Jumbo rider Slovenias Primoz Roglic wearing the overall leaders yellow jersey cross the finish line at the end of the 18th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race 168 km between Meribel and La Roche sur Foron on September 17 2020 Photo by STEPHANE MAHE POOL AFP Photo by STEPHANE MAHEPOOLAFP via Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

We'll wrap up our live coverage with some final photos from the stage.

Team Education First rider Colombias Rigoberto Uran rides during the 18th stage of the 107th edition of the Tour de France cycling race 168 km between Meribel and La Roche sur Foron on September 17 2020 Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD AFP Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARDAFP via Getty Images

(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

The dirt sector atop the Plateau de Glières added an extra twist.

From the peaks of the Alps, the Tour de France riders can virtually see Paris now. 

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