The 16th stage of the Tour de France 2015 took place on July 20, 2015. It led from Bourg-de-Péage over 201 kilometers to Gap . There were two mountain classifications in the second category as well as an intermediate sprint after 86.5 kilometers in Die . The 16th stage counted as a medium-difficult stage. 170 drivers started.
At the beginning, a leading group of 29 drivers was formed, which then split into two groups: twelve drivers in front, the others behind. Tony Gallopin , who was well placed in the overall standings, was represented in the second group , which is why the Sky team of leader Chris Froome drove fast in the field and the outliers could only laboriously gain a lead. Only when Gallopin dropped back did the peloton take some pace out of the chase. The twelve drivers in front had a lead of around 5:45 minutes on the main field after an hour, the pursuers, also twelve drivers, were around 40 seconds behind the front. The two groups are composed as follows:
The first classification of the day was the intermediate sprint in Die, which Peter Sagan won as expected. Sagan was represented in the escape group of the day for the third time in a row and has always been among the top ten of the stage since the 13th stage. The chasing group then managed to merge with the leaders, who had a ten-minute lead over the peloton. Laurent Didier from the chasing group fell behind, leaving 23 drivers in front.
Pauwels won the second category mountain classification at Col de Cabre , followed by De Gendt, Boasson Hagen and Haller. In the descent, Peter Sagan began to make a few attacks from the group that was in the lead by 13 minutes, but was not left out. Before the second mountain classification Adam Hansen and Marco Haller were able to break away briefly, but were caught up again on the climb. Instead, Rubén attacked Plaza. He was able to pull away and won the mountain classification at Col de Manse ahead of Peter Sagan, Simon Geschke and Jarlinson Pantano, who crossed the summit a few seconds later. Many drove the descent very risky in order to secure the day's victory. Plaza's closest pursuer there was Peter Sagan, who was 30 seconds behind the Spaniard. Plaza finally won the stage ahead of Sagan, Pantano, Geschke and Bob Jungels.
In the meantime, the favorite group was still climbing to the last mountain classification. A few attacks were made by the favorites, only Vincenzo Nibali was able to pull away a little. Tony Gallopin fell back and was brought over the slope with the help of his teammate Lars Bak . On the descent, Warren Barguil bumped into Geraint Thomas , who hit a stake and fell over a fence down a slope. But he could go on. Nibali crossed the finish line 28 seconds ahead of the rest of the ranking riders, Gallopin couldn't catch up and lost three and a half minutes to the leading Froome.
