Stage 14: Annemasse to Morzine - Misery

A hard day in the mountains.

But first there's a crash, a mere 6.5 k from the start.

Riders sent sprawling!

Medjes and Pedrero are down. Their hard day in the mountains is over already.

The race is halted for half an hour.  

Team Philosophe is philosophical.

Do you know, says Vello. I had a feeling this would happen.

Exactly this? asks David.

Not exactly this, says Vello. But something like it.

There is always the possibility of disaster, says Gaius. Why today?

As we left Annemasse, we passed the statue of poor old Servetus, says Vello.

Unlucky fellow, says David. Picture of misery.

Indeed, says Gaius. As though he had just fallen off his bicycle and realised that he was out of contention.

As opposed to rotting in prison, being eaten alive by lice, and having only a torn vest for his clothing, and then being burned at the stake by order of John Calvin, says David.

There are many forms of misery, says Vello. 

There are.

The half hour is up. The race resumes.

Is everyone being more careful?

Not much.

There's a battle for King of the Mountain. Ciccone takes the maximum points on the Col de Cou.

The final climb up the Col du Joux Plane is the hardest. 

Vingegaard pips Pogacar at the top. 

But it's not over yet. There's the downhill.

Will Pogacar get the better of his rival?

Yes, just.

But Carlos Rodriguez zooms past them.

He's won the stage!

There are many forms of misery.

But this isn't one of them.