Dimension Data technology is being used in one of the most prestigious races on the cycling calendar, Tour de France. Discover some highlights and data from stage 18 of the Tour de France, a 186.5 km race from Gap to Saint-Jean De-Maurienne.

Stage Highlights

The stage followed a similar pattern to previous days; a strong breakaway group escaped early on in the stage while Team Sky controlled the pace of the main peloton in an effort to protect current yellow jersey holder Chris Froome (SKY).
Romain Bardet (ALM) proved to be the strongest on yesterday’s stage and thoroughly deserved his win. With only 35 kms to go, the young rider, showed real bravado and skill when he broke away on the 25 km descent from Col de Glandon and rode his way to a stage win.
After being so active and providing so much colour, viewers missed the great gusto of the current green jersey holder, Peter Sagan (TCS), yesterday. He also lost a lot of time on yesterday’s stage. Is he tired? Or is he saving his legs for the final stage on Sunday? Only time will tell.
With just three days remaining, it is a real pity that Louis Meintjes (MTN) had to retire yesterday due to illness; he is the first rider to retire from Team MTN-Qhubeka.

Day in data

There are over 10 mountain passes within a 50 km radius of yesterday’s stage finish in Saint-Jean De-Maurienne, many of the Tour’s great battles have been won and lost on these passes.
1008 km – the total elevation gained on the Col du Chaussy pass in just 16 km; the first time this 18 bend climb will be conquered as part of the Tour de France route.
7 – the number of categorised climbs on yesterday’s stage.
3002.3 km – with only three stages left, the riders have less than 360 km to travel to the finish line in Paris.
37 – the number of riders who retired from this year’s race. Only two complete teams remain: Team Lotto NL – Jumbo and Team Europcar.
12 – the number of consecutive stages Chris Froome has won the yellow jersey.
16.02 km/h – the average speed of Rodriguez (KAT) up Col de Malissol.
16.29 km/h – the average speed of Rodriguez (KAT) as won the 5 KOM points on Col de la Morte. Click here to see the average speeds of the first four riders to crest the climb.
84.56 km/h – the top speed recorded by Frank (IAM) on the descent to Séchilienne. Click here to see the top three speeds recorded on the descent.
48.44 km/h – the speed of De Gendt (LTS) as he won the intermediate sprint at Rioupéroux. De Gent was not the fastest over the line, click here to see the recorded speeds of the other points winners on yesterday’s intermediate sprint.
19.97 km/h – the average speed of Bardet (ALM) as he won Col du Glandon, Gautier (EUC) however, had a higher average speed up the climb. Click here to see the average speeds of the first nine riders up Col du Glandon.
16.89 km/h – average speed up Col du Glandon.
16.11 km/h – the average speed of yesterday’s stage winner, Bardet (ALM), up Lacets de Montvernier.
34.13 km/h – average speed on the stage.
35’ 51” – time between first and last rider.

Stage Winner

FRA | Romain Bardet | ALM
Stage time: 5h 03’ 40”
Average speed: 36.85 km/h
Speed across finish line: 32.26 km/h
Overall Jersey Leaders
Maillot jaune | GBR | Chris Froome – SKY | 74h 13’ 31”
Maillot vert | SVK | Peter Sagan – TCS | 420 points
Maillot blanc | COL | Nairo Quintana – MOV | 74h 16’ 41”
Maillot à pois | ESP | Joaquin Rodriguez – KAT | 68 points
For additional information, feel free to visit our beta tracking site for live updates on the action and watch our Day in Data videos. You can also register here to receive our Daily Data Wrap.