Home
Cycling

Sagan wins in Switzerland as Froome still leads

Tom Dodd
Cycling

Embed from Getty Images

By Thomas Dodd

  • Peter Sagan wins Stage 16 into Swiss capital Bern
  • Tinkoff rider takes third win of 2016, all but securing green jersey in the process
  • First of two days racing in Switzerland sees no change in top 10 of General Classification

BERN, SWITZERLAND – Peter Sagan sprinted to his third stage win of the 2016 Tour de France, a victory which all but guarantees the green jersey.

CLICK TO BUY Tour de France Gear

Slovakia’s finest pipped Alexander Kristoff to the line in the Swiss capital of Bern – as four-time winner Mark Cavendish was left boxed in by the pack on the sprint to the finish.

Following a day of brutally high temperatures Sagan’s hot finish means he now has a virtually unassailable margin over Cavendish in the green jersey points classification.

For much of the route it looked as though a daring two man breakaway would spoil the sprinters’ party, as Etixx QuickStep teammates Julian Alaphillippe and Tony Martin built a large advantage over the peloton over the course of a 173km escape.

But the young Frenchman was eventually reeled in and when the German fell to the same fate with 20km to go, the stage was set for another sprint showdown.

Tinkoff rider Sagan powered his way down the finishing straight to claim the win – the final opportunity for those who prefer the shorter distances before Paris on Sunday.

There was to be no fairytale triumph for Bern native Fabian Cancellara. ‘Spartacus’ contested the final rush to the line but ultimately ended up sixth in front of his home crowd.

All the overall contenders rolled in together and will resume their battle for the yellow jersey on Wednesday after the Tour’s second rest day tomorrow.

Briton Chris Froome still leads the pack by 1m47seconds from Bauke Mollema, with fellow Brit Adam Yates in third, still wearing the white jersey for best young rider.

Stage 17 will keep the race in Switzerland, by virtue of a 184.5km stage from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson on the French border.

Stage 16 Result (Moirans-en-Montagne to Bern 209km)

1. Peter Sagan (CSVK) Tinkoff 4h26minutes02seconds
2. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) Katusha +04seconds
3. Sondre Holst Enger (NOR) IAM Cycling +06
4. John Degenkolb (GER) Giant Alpecin +10
5. Michael Matthews (AUS) Orica BikeExchange +10
6. Fabian Cancellara (SUI) Trek Segafredo +10
7. Sep Vanmarcke (BEL) Lotto Jumbo NL +10
8. Ariel Maximiliano Richeze (ARG) Etixx QuickStep +10
9. Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) Dimension Data +10
10. Greg Van Avermaet (BEL) BMC Racing +10

Brits

14. Chris Froome, Sky +10seconds
19. Adam Yates, Orica +10
23. Mark Cavendish, Dimension Data +10
30. Geraint Thomas, Sky +10
102. Ian Stannard, Sky +2m43
133. Luke Rowe, Sky +3m33
143. Stephen Cummings, Dimension Data +4m18
163. Daniel McLay, Fortuneo +7m23

Overall Standings (After Stage 16):

1. Chris Froome (GBR) Sky 72h40m38seconds
2. Bauke Mollema (HOL) Trek-Segafredo +1m47
3. Adam Yates (GBR) Orica +2m45
4. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar +2m59
5. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Movistar +3m17
6. Romain Bardet (FRA) AG2R +4m04
7. Richie Porte (NZ) BMC Racing +4m27
8. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) BMC Racing +4m47
9. Dan Martin (IRE) Etixx-QuickStep +5m03
10. Fabio Aru (ITA) Astana +5m16

Brits

16. Geraint Thomas, Sky +12m47
134. Stephen Cummings, Dimension Data +2h39m30
155. Mark Cavendish, Dimension Data +2h51m27
166. Luke Rowe, Sky +2h56m18
172. Ian Stannard, Sky +2h59m12
178. Daniel McLay, Fortuneo +3h05m25