Mauro Schmid won the 13th stage of the Tour de France in Belfort on Friday, July 17, after beating Colombia’s Harold Tejada in a sprint finish. The Swiss rider, competing for Jayco-Alula, secured his first career victory in the Tour de France after escaping with a large breakaway group that included up to 57 riders.
Mauro Schmid Claims First Tour Victory in Belfort
The Swiss rider for Jayco-Alula outmaneuvered Harold Tejada in a final sprint to take the win in Belfort. The victory marks Schmid’s first individual stage win at the Grande Boucle.
The stage featured a challenging profile, most notably the ascent of the Ballon d’Alsace. The race was defined by a massive breakaway that grew to 57 cyclists, creating a significant gap between the attackers and the main peloton.
Tom Pidcock Gains Ground in General Classification
While Schmid took the stage win, the third-place finish for Great Britain’s Tom Pidcock carries significant implications for the overall standings. Pidcock started the day as the best-placed rider in the breakaway, sitting 10th overall and trailing the yellow jersey by 11 minutes and 49 seconds.
By finishing third, Pidcock clawed back valuable time on the general classification. Pidcock now sits at 4 minutes and 15 seconds behind the leader, placing him just behind Remco Evenepoel in the standings.
High Speeds and Peloton Gaps
The pace of Stage 13 was remarkably high despite the inclusion of a nine-kilometer climb. The peloton crossed the finish line with a gap of 7 minutes and 33 seconds behind the winning group. Records show the stage was completed at an average speed of 50 km/h.
Tadej Pogacar Retains Yellow Jersey
Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar continues to lead the Tour de France, maintaining his hold on the yellow jersey. The general classification remains tight among the top contenders following the events in Belfort.
The current gaps at the top of the leaderboard are as follows:
- Tadej Pogacar: Leader (Yellow Jersey)
- Jonas Vingegaard: 3 minutes and 36 seconds behind
- Remco Evenepoel: 4 minutes and 6 seconds behind
- Tom Pidcock: 4 minutes and 15 seconds behind
What’s Next for the Tour de France
The race now shifts its focus to the mountains.
Follow official updates for start times and route maps for the upcoming mountain stages. Share your thoughts on whether Pidcock can break into the top three this weekend in the comments below.
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