Rodriguez wins Stage 12
July 16, 2015
Chris Froome maintained his overall lead at the 2015 Tour de France as Joaquim Rodriguez won the 12th stage of the event.
Riders braved treacherous and unpredictable conditions in the 192-kilometer (121-mile) race from Lannemezan to Plateau de Beille ski station.
The starting point of the race was bathed in sunshine until temperatures dropped and riders dealt with falling hail and heavy rain up the Pyrenees.
Rodriguez led from the beginning, despite not standing any chance taking overall victory this year. The final 16-kilometers were a difficult climb uphill, which allowed the 36-year-old from Barcelona to power over the line fastest.
Alberto Contador, Nairo Quintana and Vincenzo Nibali held a solid pace at the finish, but to no avail. The Spaniard picked off his opponents in the 15.8-kilometer ascent at Plateau de Beille to take the win.
Rodriguez struggled in the early mountainous stages like reigning champion Nibali, but fought through the tough conditions to win his third stage of the Tour de France.
However, the lead remains with Brit and 2013 champion Chris Froome who finished 10th on Stage 12, but still holds a sizeable lead ahead of Tejay van Garderen and Nairo Quintana of Team Movistar who are second and third, respectively. Former champion Nibali moved up two places from 11th to ninth.
Stage 13 on Friday is the 198-kilometer trek from Muret to Rodez, which is another ride up the Pyrenees with a demanding uphill finish.