Carlos Rodriguez battles to sixth overall after gruelling stage 11

Carlos Rodriguez battled to sixth overall after a gruelling stage 11 of the Tour de France.

The day started as it meant to go on, with the bunch tackling the first half of the stage at a rapid 47 km/h. Tom Pidcock and Michal Kwiatkowski made several attempts to join the breakaway of the day, but the relentless pace put paid to those ambitions.

With under 50 kilometres to go, and all of the major climbs still to be tackled, UAE Team Emirates took to the front. After some strong posting work from Kwiato to ensure the Grenadiers could respond to this acceleration, he dropped back. 

As the pace increased yet further, a select group of around 10 GC riders would go clear, including Rodriguez. Further attacks would see Carlos distanced, before some brave descending saw him just 30 seconds back on lone leader Pogacar. 

When Jonas Vingegaard (Visma Lease-a-Bike) attacked, Carlos would set his own pace, eventually coming home in ninth position, 1’55” down on Vingegaard, who would catch Pogacar, and win the stage. The result sees the Spaniard move up to sixth overall, ahead of a rolling stage tomorrow.