SPORTS

Nibali leads as Tour de France cyclers start Stage 13

The Associated Press Published Friday, July 18, 2014 7:50AM EDT

Italy's Vincenzo Nibali, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, is followed by Australia's Richie Porte, center inside corner, and Spain's Alejandro Valverde, far left, during the thirteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race on Friday, July 18, 2014. (AP/Laurent Cipriani)

Text:

SAINT-ETIENNE, France -- Vincenzo Nibali defends the yellow jersey as riders set off on the 13th stage of the Tour de France, the first of two tough mountain stages in the Alps.

Nibali holds a lead of 2 1/2 minutes over Australian Richie Porte and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde.

Although Nibali is an excellent climber, the Italian could face attacks on a grueling trek over 197.5 kilometres (122 miles) from Saint-Etienne in southeastern France to Chamrousse.

It culminates with a daunting ascent of 18 kilometres (12 miles) with a 7.3 per cent gradient.