Valence // Andre Greipel claimed his third victory of the 2015 Tour de France on the 15th stage to Valence on Sunday.
The 183-kilometres route from Mende to Valence took place in 35° Celsius heat and had a familiar winner from the bunch sprints, as German Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) followed his successes on Stage 2 to Zeeland and Stage 5 to Amiens.
John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) was second and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) third, with Peter Sagan (Tinkoff-Saxo) fourth.
Mark Cavendish (Etixx QuickStep) had been hoping for a 27th Tour stage win of his career in Valence, but was distanced early and reported to be ill.
It was likely the last opportunity for the sprinters before Sunday’s concluding stage in Paris.
Monday’s 16th stage is 201km from Bourg de Peage to Gap, which hosts Tuesday’s rest day ahead of four days in the Alps that begin Wednesday.
The general classification contenders had a quiet day in preparation for the stages where the race will be won, as British rider Chris Froome (Team Sky) finished 23rd yesterday and retained the yellow jersey. It would have been a welcome breather for Froome, who had urine thrown at him on Saturday’s stage to Mende.
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