Garmin-Sharp's Jack Bauer devastated after 'childhood dream' dashed at Tour de France

Bauer and IAM's Martin Elmiger led stage 15 for almost 220 of the 222 kilometres from Tallard to Nimes but the breakaway duo were reeled in by the peloton with 100m remaining, before Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) won the sprint.

While Elmiger was keen to reflect on a battling performance, Bauer could not believe his misfortune after missing out on a maiden Tour de France stage victory.

The New Zealander collapsed to the ground in tears and had to be consoled by Garmin-Sharp team-mates.

"It's just bitter, bitter disappointment. It's a childhood dream to win a stage of the Tour and for a domestique, like myself, I'm normally working for others," Bauer said.

"This was my first chance to be up the road and with the chance in the wind and the weather, me and Martin realised we had a chance for the win.

"I faked to be tired but felt I had more punch left. I left it until 400 metres to go. I thought I had it but then I realised in the last 50 metres that I had nothing."

Swiss veteran Elmiger, who won his second combativity award for the 2014 Tour after stage seven, took a different view.

"At the end of the second week, everyone is getting tired but I can be happy with myself because I fought all day long," the 35-year-old said.

"I didn't think we'd make it to the finish because of the wind that made it difficult. The roundabouts made it technical at the end too.

"However, [IAM team-mate] Heinrich Haussler's second place is a super result for the team as we haven't been very lucky at the Tour de France so far."

Kristoff, who claimed line honours for the second time at Le Tour, after his triumph on stage 12, hailed two of his Katusha team-mates for helping him to victory.

"Normally I'm not the fastest sprinter on the flat against [Lotto-Belisol's] Andre Greipel and [Giant-Shimano's] Marcel Kittel but I'm lighter than them. Possibly that turned to my advantage today," the Norwegian said.

"I didn't see them being tired during the stage but the fact that I beat them make me think that they're tired after climbing in the Alps. I also didn't feel super but I had to try anyway.

"[Team-mate] Luca [Paolini] did a great job, also Gatis [Smukulis] in pulling the peloton."

Kristoff added he felt sorry for Elmiger and Bauer, who were left empty handed after a busy day in the breakaway.

"They made a huge effort," he said.
"I feel sorry for them. What they did was impressive."