Tour de France 2015: Urine claim mars African teams Mandela Day joy

MTN-Qhubeka's British rider Steve Cummings caused an upset in Saturday's 14th leg of 21 as he triumphed from Frenchmen Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet, whose president Francois Hollande was watching.

Cummings claimed the second stage victory of his career on any of the three grand tours, and his first at Le Tour, when he zoomed past the two breakaway riders to win by two seconds from Pinot.

Mandela, who died in 2013, was born 97 years ago on July 18.



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MTN-Qhubeka's riders were wearing orange helmets in tribute to South Africa's former president, while Cummings crossed the line showing the team's five-finger salute -- part of its #BicyclesChangeLives campaign aimed at providing 5,000 African children with bikes.

'This is an incredible day for me and the team -- with it being Mandela Day the team was motivated more than usual but I don't think we can quite believe what has just happened. It may take a while to sink in,' said Cummings.

'I wasn't the strongest today and I knew there were better climbers in our lead group. I had to play the waiting game ... the key was to remain calm and take my opportunity when it arrived.'

Bardet, who was sixth overall in last year's race, lamented having been 'outwitted' by Cummings in the final stretch of the 178.5 km stage from Rodez to Mende.

'With Thibaut we made a tactical error that cost victory to the both of us,' said the 24-year-old. 'We were watching each other and we didn't watch out for Stephen Cummings, who was coming back.

'He was very cunning and he got away from us with 500 meters to go. I don't know what Thibaut did in the finale but he left 10 meters to Cummings in a turn. We were outwitted.'

Pinot, who was third overall last year, was equally disappointed.

'It's a waste, as second on a Tour stage is useless,' he said. 'It's a shame. There is not positive point today.'

Britain's Chris Froome strengthened his grip on the leader's yellow jersey, with the Team Sky rider extending his advantage to three minutes and 10 seconds over Colombia's Nairo Quintana.

American Tejay Van Garderen was third at 3:32, while two-time winner Alberto Contador was fifth at 4:23 and defending champion Vincenzo Nibali was eighth, over eight minutes adrift.

Froome, the 2013 Tour winner, came home in 20th place, more than four minutes behind his former Sky teammate Cummings.

He also holds the polka-dot climbers' jersey which MTN-Qhubeka's Daniel Teklehaimanot of Eritrea had claimed in stage six, becoming the first African to do so.

Froome, who was born in Kenya and started his cycling career in South Africa before moving to the UK, said it was a 'massive victory' for MTN-Qhubeka.

However, his celebrations were tempered as he accused a spectator of throwing a cup of urine at him and calling him a 'doper.'

'You don't do that to anyone. It's not in the name of sport,' the 30-year-old told UK broadcaster ITV.

'That's extremely disappointing. Unfortunately I think a lot of the reporting on the race has been very irresponsible.

'What can I do? I can get angry. I'd rather keep my composure and stay focused on the race.'

Froome has had to defend himself from accusations of doping in this year's race, not helped by the presence of drug cheat Lance Armstrong -- who returned to the event where he won seven successive titles to ride on Thursday and Friday.

The American, who was stripped of his Tour titles after being found guilty of 'systematic doping,' was taking part in a charity event that covers the same stages a day ahead of the main competitors.

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MTN-Qhubeka's British rider Steve Cummings caused an upset in Saturday's 14th leg of 21 as he triumphed from Frenchmen Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet, whose president Francois Hollande was watching. Mandela, who died in 2013, was born 97 years ago on July 18. Froome, who was born in Kenya and started his cycling career in South Africa before moving to the UK, said it was a 'massive victory' for MTN-Qhubeka. 'What can I do? I can get angry. I'd rather keep my composure and stay focused on the race.' 'He was very cunning and he got away from us with 500 meters to go. I don't know what Thibaut did in the finale but he left 10 meters to Cummings in a turn. We were outwitted.' 'What can I do? I can get angry. I'd rather keep my composure and stay focused on the race.' MTN-Qhubeka's British rider Steve Cummings caused an upset in Saturday's 14th leg of 21 as he triumphed from Frenchmen Thibaut Pinot and Romain Bardet, whose president Francois Hollande was watching.

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