Tour de France 2023: Kwiatkowski wins at Grand Colombier, Vingegaard retains yellow

foto: Cor VosMichal Kwiatkowski attacks from the breakaway with some 12 kilometres left to climb. He solos to victory on the Grand Colombier. Maxim Van Gils finishes in second and Tadej Pogacar in third. The Slovene closes in on Jonas Vingegaard. The gap is down to 9 seconds. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 13th stage 2023 Tour de France

1. Michal Kwiatkowski (pol)
2. Maxim van Gils (bel) + 0.47
3. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.50
4. Jonas Vingegaard (den) + 0.54
5. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 1.03
6. Jai Hindley (aus) + 1.05
7. James Shaw (gbr) s.t.
8. Harold Tejada (col) s.t.
9. Simon Yates (gbr) + 1.14
10. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.18

11. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 1.20
12. Sepp Kuss (usa) s.t.
16. David Gaudu (fra) + 1.45
17. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.

GC after stage 13
1. Jonas Vingegaard (den)
2. Tadej Pogacar (slo) + 0.09
3. Jai Hindley (aus) + 2.51
4. Carlos Rodriguez (spa) + 4.48
5. Adam Yates (gbr) + 5.03
6. Simon Yates (gbr) + 5.04
7. Pello Bilbao (spa) + 5.25
8. Tom Pidcock (gbr) + 5.35
9. David Gaudu (fra) + 6.52
10. Sepp Kuss (usa) + 7.11

Race report
Attacks are flying from the gun, but no break at kilometre 20. Then Van Gils, Pacher, Oliveira and Teunissen give it a go. The four are brought back before they push on with the front of the peloton. Kwiatkowski, Mohoric, Houle, Tejada, Shaw, Zimmermann and Latour are on board. As are Stuyven Bettiol, Asgreen, Wright, Petit, Mozzato, Bol, and Charmig.

The gap goes out to 1.30 minutes before UAE Emirates starts setting the pace in the peloton. It’s obvious that Pogacar’s men are aiming to keep the breakaway on a leash, but still, the lead widens to 4 minutes.

Bol and Petit drop from the breakaway on the Col de la Lèbe, while Latour loses contact on descent.

Pacher heads out alone on the early slopes of the Grand Colombier, but Van Gils, Shaw and Tejada gobble him up with 13 kilometres left to climb. Moments later it is former World Champion Kwiatkowski who comes across. The Pole opens up a gap of 1 minute. Meanwile, Pinot is dropped from the GC group.

Adam Yates accelerates inside the last 3 kilometres. Kuss closes down the gap with Pogacar, Vingegaard, Pidcock and Hindley in his wheel.

While Kwiatkowski rounds out his solo with a glorious triumph, Pogacar attacks in the GC group. Vingegaard follows him like a shallow, but when the Slovene keeps pushing he loses his wheel. Pogacar crosses the line just after Van Gils to finish in third. Not only does he gain a time bonus of 4 seconds, he also finishes 4 seconds ahead of Vingegaard.

The Dane retains the yellow jersey, but Pogacar is now only 9 seconds behind.

Another interesting read: route 13th stage 2023 Tour de France.