Tour de France Stage 16: Caleb Ewan Claims Victory in Crash-Hit Race from Nimes to Nimes

In scorching temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, Australia’s Caleb Ewan emerged victorious in the crash-hit 16th stage of the Tour de France, claiming his second win of the prestigious race. The Lotto Soudal rider showcased his sprinting prowess as he outpaced Italian Elia Viviani and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen to cross the finish line first in the 177-km Stage 16 from Nimes to Nimes.

Defending champion Geraint Thomas faced another setback as he took a tumble during the stage but fortunately escaped without any serious injuries. Despite the fall, Thomas remains 1:35 behind the overall leader, Julian Alaphilippe of France.

The day also saw Dane Jakob Fuglsang, a pre-race favorite, crash out of the race, marking his second abandonment in the last three editions of the Tour de France. Meanwhile, three-times world champion Peter Sagan criticized the riders’ association for failing to trigger the ‘extreme weather protocol’ to protect the cyclists in the sweltering heat.

With Ewan now the only sprint specialist with two wins in this year’s Tour de France, the riders will now turn their focus to the upcoming stages in the Alps. Wednesday’s 17th stage promises a hilly 200-km ride from the Pont du Gard to Gap, setting the stage for the overall contenders to battle it out for the coveted title in the final stages of the race.

As the excitement continues to build in the Tour de France, fans can expect more thrilling moments and intense competition as the race heads towards its grand finale in Paris on Sunday.