Carlos takes fourth on stage 14

Carlos Rodriguez put in an impressive climbing performance to claim fourth place on stage 14 at the Tour de France.

The result saw the Spaniard take back crucial seconds on fourth-placed Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates), bringing the gap down to just eight seconds in a weekend full of climbing.

Rodriguez reacted well to the stage-winning acceleration of leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) on the final climb, quickly settling into a rhythm and finishing 1:19 back over the line.

The Grenadier began the final ascent with Egan Bernal and Laurens De Plus around him in a reduced peloton.

Michal Kwiatkowski enjoyed a strong day out in the breakaway. The Pole was part of a 10-man group that crested the Tourmalet, and established himself as the break split in half on the next climb. 

Yet with the peloton flying behind, the group would eventually be caught, with Kwiatkowski drifting back on the Pla d'Adet. 

Earlier the team began the stage without Tom Pidcock, who was disappointed to have to leave the race early after experiencing symptoms of Covid-19.