Stage 15 - Embrun - Prato Nevoso, 183km
Analysis by Hunter Allen
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Rainy day in the Tour today. Adam had to cover some early attacks, but that didn't last too long before the main break of the day went away. Thank goodness, because in less than an hour, the HC category climb Col de Agnel began! A bit over an hour long climb for Adam and then a big chase down the other side to catch up to the main field. On the climb, Adam set a steady pace at sub-threshold for the first 40minutes of the climb and then the last 20 minutes, The pace picked up and he had to dig closer to his threshold in order to be near the front for the descent. The next challenge for the day was to hang on for dear life while the CSC team drove the pace at the front for a solid hour. Adam rode in single file for nearly an hour with a normalized power of 350 watts! Then they don't call it the Colle de Morte for nothing. Adam gets popped here and then rides in with the Sprinter group. A nice easy pace up the last climb at lower tempo pace to the finish. All in all another tough stage, but Adam handled it well. Rest day tomorrow! WOO HOO!
