For this year's Tour de France we've teamed up with The Velocast to share with you their nominated Conquistador of the Day. During their daily stage review podcast, Scott and John will announce the rider who they feel deserves a special mention for their efforts that day.

The Velocast's John Galloway had some pre-conceived ideas about who would be his Conquistador of the Day on Stage 13, an individual time trial. But Julian Alaphilippe had other ideas that mean unsung heroes will remain once more unsung!

Photo credits: A.S.O./Alex BROADWAY

 
"I had a long speech prepared because it's really difficult to have a rider of the day when its a time trial. And I do love a time trial - I genuinely get goosebumps before one. I had this long speech prepared about how my Conquistadors of the Day would be all the team mechanics because any of you out there who are team mechanics who have to set up the cable runs etc on some of these time trial bikes know what a thankless task it is. And its a task where there is no margin for error, they make a mistake and someone needs to change a bike, their race might as well be over. But seriously, how can I not pick Julian Alaphalippe after that 'Duracell Bunny' up the final ramp performance! 

He was absolutely magnificent today. So really predictable and boring I know, but I'm choosing the winner  - it's Julian Alaphilippe. 

Could I split it and give it to Julian Alaphilippe and his mechanic?

No! - that was a stunning performance today and it has to be marked by something. The perfect Tour de France victory is marked by:

1. Winning a road stage - tick.

2. Winning a time trial - tick.

The only box he's got left to tick is to win the overall. Just an amazing performance from Julian Alaphilippe. So, predictable, I'm sorry people but he's my Conquistador of the Day!"

Photo credit: ASO / Pauline BALLET

STAGE SUMMARY FROM ASO

Julian Alaphilippe celebrated the 100 years of the yellow jersey the best possible way by retaining the lead at the end of a time trial he dominated in Pau. First at all intermediate checkpoints, he increased his advantage over defending champion Geraint Thomas by fourteen seconds.

Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Kasper Asgreen sets a time of reference

166 riders started the individual time trial in Pau. Four-time world champion Tony Martin showed straight away that he wasn’t on a winning mood this time as he’s got other priorities as a domestique for Jumbo-Visma on this Tour de France. He was quickly overtaken by Chad Haga (Sunweb) and Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck-Quick Step) who had left the starting ramp one and two minutes after him. The American rider almost caught Yoann Offredo (Wanty-Groupe Gobert), the first man on the road who started four minutes before him but it was Asgreen who set the first time of reference at the finish in 35’52’’ at the average speed of 46.2km/h. Hot favourite Stefan Küng crashed in a curve at the beginning of the race. The Swiss champion missed out on his chances to deliver a first stage victory to Groupama-FDJ.

Photo credit: ASO / Pauline BALLET

Thomas De Gendt with the provisional best time

Although Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Merida) and Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) scored faster times at the time check after 7.7km, it was Belgium’s Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) who dethroned Asgreen from the hot seat at 46.5km/h after he saw his compatriot and national champion Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) on the ground. 1.1km before the end, it was a serious crash for the winner of stage 10 in Albi who was taken to hospital by ambulance. Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) who was holding good intermediate time checks crashed in the same curve and reached the finishing line with great difficulty.

Photo credit: ASO / Pauline BALLET

Alaphilippe wins his duel against Thomas

The race of the GC contenders was another story. Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) came close to dethroning De Gendt. At the first time check after 7.7km, Alaphilippe had the best time with an advantage of 6’’ over Thomas. It was the same difference between the first two riders on GC at the top of the côte d’Esquillot (km 15.5). The Frenchman continued to dominate the race even on the flatter section on the way back to Pau. He managed to beat Thomas by 14’’ and extend his lead in the overall ranking on the symbolic day of the 100th birthday of the yellow jersey.

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