Rodriguez sixth as Tour reaches second rest day

Carlos Rodriguez put up a spirited fight in sweltering conditions at the Tour de France on stage 15.

The Spaniard came home eighth atop Plateau de Beille on a day that saw Tadej Pogacar extend his race lead.

Rodiguez settled into his own tempo on the final climb as Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) launched clear, catching the day's breakaway in the process.

Laurens De Plus had put in a superb ride to represent the team up the road, remaining at the front as the group gradually whittled down across a testing parcours.

Starting the final climb with a gap of 2:33 proved to not be enough for the group, as the GC battle began to rage early. The final escapees would eventually be hauled back with 9.3km to go.

De Plus would eventually cross the line in 14th place, while Rodriguez now sits sixth overall as the race reaches its second rest day.