Costa victory on the day that could have cost Contador dearly
The stage to Gap has a habit of creating several stories at the same time and it happened again in stage 16 of the 100th Tour de France. There were two races unfolding concurrently: one for the stage victory that was dominated by Portugal's Rui Costa - who outsmarted, out climbed and out paced everyone else on a fast, hot day of racing - and a second contest fought between the riders vying for the yellow jersey. An escape had formed after an hour of attacking early in the stage and there were 26 men involved: Costa would prove to be the best of this group. He would savour a moment of...
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Summary
Image of the day
Beauty shot
Magazine 100% Tour / Day of rest
The towns 2013 : visit Vaison-la-Romaine
Analysis of the stage
A sporting view
- Leaders
- Caravan
- Start town
- Finish town
- Feeding zone
- Checkpoints
- Sprint
- Last kilometre
- Hors catégorie climb
- Points of interest
Tourist attractions
Vaison-la-Romaine
At the foot of Mont Ventoux, Vaison-la-Romaine is the capital of the laid back life of Provence, at the heart of a green and generous environment. It owes its fame mostly to its archeological sites including the ancient theatre and the Roman bridge. As you stroll around you can discover the Our Lady of Nazareth Cathedral dating from the 13th century and its beautiful roman cloisters, or climb to the Haute-Ville, to the Castle of the Counts of Toulouse, who ruled the town. With the Escapado programme established by the Tourism Office there are numerous pedestrian, bicycle or driving routes that you can download onto your mobile. Amongst the routes, connaisseurs will enjoy the different wines offering the delicious nectar of Côtes-du-Rhône et Ventoux. A land of culture, Vaison-la-Romaine is also known for its dance festival, Vaison Danses, that is currently underway and continues until the end of July and that is followed at the beginning of August by the Choralies, organised every three years and bringing together 5,000 amateur and professional singers and musiciens from around the world.
Web sites
Population: 6,500
Chef-lieu de canton of Vaucluse (84)
Specialities: wine, olive sausage.
Economy: tourism, wine, commerce.
Sport: Vaison-la-Romaine car rally, La Bacchanale (road race)
Celebrities: Gnaeus Pompeius Trogus (Roman historian), Mimie Mathy (comedian), Clovis Cornillac (comedian)
Festivals: Crime novel festival (April), Brassens festival (April, May), Rencontres gourmandes (October), Choralies (August), Supervues (art, December).
Labels: 100 most beautiful detours of France, European capital of choir singing.
- Leaders
- Caravan
- Start town
- Finish town
- Feeding zone
- Checkpoints
- Sprint
- Last kilometre
- Hors catégorie climb
- Points of interest
Gap
Capital of the Hautes-Alpes, a department dear to cyclists who dream of conquering its grand mythical cols (Agnel, Galibier, Granon, Izoard, etc.), Gap is situated on the Napoleonic route that in 2015 will celebrate 200 years of the return of the Emperor. Capital of the Southern Alps, Gap easily combines the gentle energy of Provence with its lively and colourful city centre and the purity of the Alps. Today it is famous for its slogan Gap Nature which promotes several hiking trails around the town along with specially laid out routes for mountain biking. Nearby Gap-Tallard offers globally recognised air sports facilities whilst the crags of Céüse are a reference point for thrill seekers following in the steps of Patrick Edlinger, an icon of rock climbing. As for the golf course in Gap-Bayard, it offers both a wonderful view of the Vieux Chaillol, standing at more than 3,000 m and pure fresh air that golf lovers adore.
Web sites
Pop: 37,800
Hautes Alpes prefecture
Specialities: tourte du Champsaur, tomme (cheese), pâtés, tourtons (pastries), ravioles de Gap (pasta), leg of lamb, apple.
Economy: services, garrison, tourism, building.
Motto: the gentle capital.
Sport: Rapaces de Gap (ice-hockey), Gap FC (football)
Celebrities: Napoleon, Guillaume Farel, Baron de la Doucette, Gilles Grimandi (football); Sebastien Ogier (rally driver),
Festivals: folk dancing festival, Gap en Fa Mi Sol jSummer), Fête de la ville de Gap (September)
Labels: ville fleurie (3), child friendly town UNICEF, Villes des Alpes.
Jersey wearers after the stage 21
- polka-dot jerseyQUINTANA ROJAS N.MOV
- white jerseyQUINTANA ROJAS N.MOV
- teamTEAM SAXO-T.TST
Key moments
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These five riders have won sprint stages of the 100th Tour de France. Of these five, who do you think will win in Paris?
- Marcel Kittel14.93%
- Simon Gerrans1.08%
- Mark Cavendish54.21%
- André Greipel5.5%
- Peter Sagan24.28%