Tour de France Stage 15 betting preview, free tips & TV details

ITV4, Eurosport 1 & S4C, 11.10am Sunday

Julian Alaphilippe is the new favourite to win the Tour de France after he defied the naysayers to finish second on top of the fabled Col du Tourmalet to increase his lead at the top of the general classification to two minutes and two seconds.

A 200-1 chance before the riders departed Brussels a fortnight ago, the new darling of the French public is now best at even-money and odds-on with several bookmakers. He repeatedly responded to rival attacks on stage 14 in a show of strength few expected the yellow jersey to be able to maintain after his exploits in Friday’s time trial.

While Alaphilippe didn’t crack as many expected, reigning champion Geraint Thomas did in the closing kilometres, losing 36 seconds to the race leader. He is now 11-2 to retain his title from 4-7 at the start of the weekend.

And French celebrations didn’t stop with Alaphilippe’s remarkable ride as Thibaut Pinot, tipped by Racing Post Sport’s Bruce Millington, won the stage. He is now 6-1 to win the Tour having been 16-1 before the stage.

If the contenders for the yellow jersey are in need of a lull in action after the demands of the Tourmalet, Tour organisers have other ideas with another punishing test to end the second week.

Another summit finish awaits on the road from Limoux to Foix Prat d’Albis with two other high-category ascents along the way.

The conundrum facing punters is whether the GC contenders keep their powder dry and let a breakaway go all the way after Saturday’s exertions or ride full throttle again for the stage win.

The added factor of bonus seconds on offer for the first three riders who crest the summit of the penultimate climb, the Mur de Peguere, adds further intrigue.

If a break is allowed to go it could be an opportunity for the Shark to go on the attack again.

Vincenzo Nibali has had a poor first two weeks having been rumoured to be troubled by illness but the upshot is that he is way down on the overall contenders.

The multiple Grand Tour winner appeared to be over any ailments on Saturday’s stage, attacking from the gun as he went on the hunt for a victory.

He was swallowed up by the charging peloton on the lower slopes of the Tourmalet but if it does turn out to be a day for a break, perhaps he can challenge again.

Recommendation
V Nibali
1pt 9-1 Betway

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