Alaphilippe to defend 100 year old yellow jersey against the clock

Thirty eight years ago, the first non-European leader of the Tour de France rode in a yellow skinsuit as it was a time trial from Nay to Pau on a similar distance as stage 13 in the race that celebrates the 100th year of the yellow jersey precisely on this day, July 19. Australia’s Phil Anderson lost it to Bernard Hinault by 13 seconds only. This time around it’s a Frenchman trying to resist to an English speaking cyclist. Julian Alaphilippe who has now eight yellow jerseys like his fellow countryman from Montluçon Roger Walkowiak [the 1956 Tour de France victor] has a margin of 1’12’’ over defending champion Geraint Thomas and he wants to climb the Tourmalet in the yellow jersey on Saturday as well. The 27.2km course around Pau isn’t a bad one for him. The hardest part is a climb at the exit of Pau at the very beginning. The côte d’Esquillot after half way is another section for the strong men to make a difference. Stage 13 had a natural favourite in the person of world champion Rohan Dennis and in the absence of Tom Dumoulin, Chris Froome and world record holder Victor Campenaerts, but the Australian unexpectedly pulled out in the middle of stage 12. Swiss champion Stefan Küng of Groupama-FDJ and British champion Alex Dowsett from Katusha-Alpecin are among the substitute candidates for the stage win.