Today's 15th stage of the Tour de France leading over 183 km from Mende to Valence emerged as a stage with a bunch sprint in the final. However, there was an attempt of a greater breakaway group, but it was controlled by Katusha and IAM when it ultimately came down to nine riders.

These escapees were also kept on a short leash. While the peloton was on the chase, Hesjedal and Trentin tried to make an attack out of the leading group. But after 153km in front, they were also caught quickly, so all was set for the bunch sprint.

André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) took the stage win ahead of John Degenkolb (Giant Alpecin) and Alexander Kristoff (Katusha). Paul Voss, Jan Barta and Bartosz Huzarski reached the finish line with the main field, followed shortly after by Jose Mendes. Emanuel Buchmann, who was supposed to save energy today, reached the finish with the following group.

"We had both stage-scenarios discussed this morning and on the list. The one that there is a mass sprint and if Sam [Bennett] would have the legs to be in the front, he was supposed to sprint. But that unfortunately was not the case, as for many others as well. The second option was, of course, that a large group would make it to the finish. But Katusha and IAM responded to every attack, controlling it and also bringing it back,” said DS Enrico Poitschke.

“Also another group of nine riders could not escape and it all ended, a bit surprising, with a bunch sprint in an extremely fast race. Since Sam wasn't up for the sprint, all riders had the opportunity to look for their own chances. So Jan [Barta] attacked once more in the final and Paul finished in 13th place. All in all there was not much more in today,” he finished.