UAE Team Emirates' Tadej Pogacar vaulted into second place in the Tour de France after going pedal to pedal with race leader Primoz Roglic.
Pogacar was the only rider able to stay with Roglic on the last climb on Friday, and now trails him by 44 seconds.
The slow-burning fight for the Tour de France’s yellow jersey erupted in earnest on the punishing slopes of a once-giant volcano.
Despite Pogacar’s efforts, Roglic was still able to increase his overall lead.
One of the day’s big losers was Egan Bernal, last year’s champion from Colombia, who was unable to match Roglic’s pace on the arduous ascent of the Puy Mary. He dropped from second to third in the overall standings.
Bernal fell back to 59 seconds behind Roglic, the winner of last year’s Spanish Vuelta, who is increasingly looking like the firm favourite to win in Paris in eight days.
The intense stage, one of the race’s hardest with its seven ascents of note, was won by Colombian rider Daniel Martinez. He had been part of a breakaway of lower-order riders.
German rider Lennard Kämna was second on the climb up the Puy Mary.
Stage 13 result
1. Daniel Felipe Martínez, Colombia, EF Pro Cycling, 5h 1m 47s.
2. Lennard Kämna, Germany, Bora-Hansgrohe, :4s behind.
3. Maximilian Schachmann, Germany, Bora-Hansgrohe, :51.
4. Valentin Madouas, France, Groupama-FDJ, 1:33.
5. Pierre Rolland, France, B&B Hotels-Vital Concept, 1:42.
6. Nicolas Edet, France, Cofidis, 1:53.
7. Simon Geschke, Germany, CCC Team, 2:35.
8. Marc Soler, Spain, Movistar Team, 2:43.
9. Hugh John Carthy, Britain, EF Pro Cycling, 3:18.
10. David De la Cruz, Spain, UAE Team Emirates, 3:52.
11. Daniel Martin, Ireland, Israel Start-Up Nation, 4:31.
12. Primoz Roglic, Slovenia, Team Jumbo-Visma, 6:05.
13. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates, same time.
14. Richie Porte, Australia, Trek-Segafredo, 6:18.
15. Mikel Landa, Spain, Bahrain McLaren, same time.
16. Miguel Angel Lopez, Colombia, Astana Pro Team, 6:21.
17. Neilson Powless, United States, EF Pro Cycling, 6:29.
18. Egan Bernal, Colombia, Ineos Grenadiers, 6:43.
19. Rigoberto Uran, Colombia, EF Pro Cycling, same time.
20. Adam Yates, Britain, Mitchelton-Scott, 6:45.
Overall Standings
1. Primoz Roglic, Slovenia, Team Jumbo-Visma, 56h 34m 35s.
2. Tadej Pogacar, Slovenia, UAE Team Emirates, :44s behind.
3. Egan Bernal, Colombia, Ineos Grenadiers, :59.
4. Rigoberto Uran, Colombia, EF Pro Cycling, 1:10.
5. Nairo Quintana, Colombia, Team Arkea-Samsic, 1:12.
6. Miguel Angel Lopez, Colombia, Astana Pro Team, 1:31.
7. Adam Yates, Britain, Mitchelton-Scott, 1:42.
8. Mikel Landa, Spain, Bahrain McLaren, 1:55.
9. Richie Porte, Australia, Trek-Segafredo, 2:06.
10. Enric Mas, Spain, Movistar Team, 2:54.
