Yesterday was nuts. Today? More of the same I suspect. CyclingStages, what's in store?
Friday 26 July - The 19th stage of the Tour de France runs on a 126.5 kilometres course from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Tignes. Following a sheer endless intermediate climb on the Col d’Iseran the finale serves a 7.4 kilometres drag at 7%.
Once before the Tour de France visited Tignes. We’re referring to the 2007 Tour de France when Michael Rasmussen climbed to both the stage win and yellow jersey. The party didn’t last all the way to Paris though as the Dane was, while well on his way to winning the overall classification, removed from the Tour for lying about his whereabouts.
Obviously, Tignes wants to make a new name for itself on the Tour de France. The mountain village lies at an elevation of 2,113 metres and at the end of a demanding stage.
The race sets off in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The Tour visited the village in 2015 with Romain Bardet soloing to victory. It served as a departure place for the following stage to La Toussuire summit finish, where Vincenzo Nibali took the spoils.
This time the riders leave for Tignes on a short yet demanding route. Basically, the road goes up once the flag is dropped – not dramatically, but stoically. On rolling and constantly sloping terrain the riders reach the foot of the Côte de Saint-André, where the incline steepens to 6.8% for 3.1 kilometres. Following a short descent and a rare stint on the flat the route returns to climbing on the Montée d’Aussois, which is a 6.5 kilometres long uphill at 6.2% with its crest after 38 kilometres.
The route continues to bump steadily upwards to the Col de la Madeleine (3.9 kilometres at 5.6%) before a false flat takes the riders to the foot of the Col de l’Iseran, an irregular climb of 12.9 kilometres. The average slope sits at 7.5%, but the penultimate kilometre before the top goes up at double digit gradients. The first three riders over the summit earn 8, 5 and 2 bonus seconds.
Following the descent to Val d’Isère the route follows Lake Chevril for a few kilometres before a short descent plummets down to the base of the final ascent. The first 3 kilometres in particular rise very steeply, while the average gradients of the 7.4 kilometres climb sits at 7%. The 2 final kilometres to Tignes are a false flat.
Time bonuses of 10, 6 and 4 seconds are awarded to the first three riders on the line. Plus, as mentioned, there are extra seconds available at the Col de l’Iseran.
Take a look at the favourites to win the race to Tignes, or read about the KOM points that are available today.
Today's profile:
Col d'iseran:
And the summit at Tignes:
So to the contenders, INRNG, what you saying?
The Contenders: if the GC contenders want to dislodge Julian Alaphilippe, today’s the day because if they can’t quite make it there’s still tomorrow to make any final adjustments. So if we get the big names in a straight contest then Egan Bernal (Team Ineos) is the obvious pick, he was the strongest on the Galibier yesterday and can go again. If there’s a group then Geraint Thomas has a shot at the stage win too because the finish is flat… so does Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quickstep) if the others ferry him to the finish.
Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) was strong yesterday but not sizzling but it was he who closed down Thomas. Still he knows the climb to Tignes well – his family have an apartment there – and we’ll see if the cooler temperatures are to his liking.
From the breakaway Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) is an obvious pick again with Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Ilnur Zakarin (Katusha-Alpecin)
And as every, yesterday, what a stage it was.
Should be a belter of a stage today. Expect Skyneos and Jumbo to turn the screw almost from the off, setting an infernal pace. Yellow to change hands today, but to whom? Bernal looks most likely.
Seeing as he was anonymous yesterday, I'm going for Barguil for the stage win. I've got to be right eventually!
Bernal.
Pains me to say it, because i really want Pinot or Bardet or Alla up there to prove a point.
Outside bet, Barguil.
Skneos will try to block the roads today, back to their original rolling roadblocks and side glances. Don't think Thomas has yet to go all out and rattle one off, today could be his day at the front of the GC, but i think there will be strength in numbers from other teams helping out DQS to assist Alla.
No doubt a break, unlikely to last though. Any skinny climbers left that haven't done much yet? I can't think of any and the stage is a bit daunting after yesterday.. It's a big old lump is Tignes.
Make or break stage this one. Tomorrow might just be a roll out for minor places and last ditch attempts for stage wins between teams like DD/Cofidis etc.
Nibbles will want to win a stage and Bardet will want to hold the KOM jersey.
Nibbles told Bradley on a motorbike that he was cooked yesterday.
Hope Bardet get the Polka dots.
I'm betting on Simon Yates having another go.
+1 the Tour has to be won today IMO.
And not just with a dig with 2km to go to the finish. Someone has to light it up on the Iseran.
#FreeEgan
Also Movistar to ride so hard on the front that they drop Quintana. Again.
I so want LouLou to win, especially after what he did for that little boy after yesterdays podium ceremony.
I can see Movistar cranking up the pace today, I don't think Ineos will set the pace early on, they don't have the squad for that. Also Jumbo, not sure their domestiques are in good enough shape. Are Jumbo now just thinking about consolidating their position, or are they confident enough to go for the win?
Personally I'm hoping JA can hold on, I've said for a long time he should have a GC team built up around him (honestly - not just jumping on a bandwagon!). I'd have thought JA would be ideal in Movistar, Valverde is obviously past it, Carapaz and Qiuntana moving on, Landa moving on. Bring in JA and some additional top domestiques and he is a shoe in for a future GC winner.
I don't think G is in good enough shape, I'm guessing he expected to ride into form but it hasn't happened - could be down to the extreme heat. Pinot may have peaked too early, I like Pinot though, so would be happy to see him put in an attack or two and maybe hold on for the stage win with a small advantage over Bernal. JA to remain in Yellow by 40 seconds.
Storms predicted for the final climb, apparently.
I so want LouLou to win, especially after what he did for that little boy after yesterdays podium ceremony.
?
Thomas to go solo from 100k out taking 16 minutes from JA, and 5-6 minutes from the other contenders.
Yeah Pete? What happened??
I don't think today is the day that it'll be won, I think tomorrow is that day. But I do think today is the day that Alaphillipe loses yellow. I think the break will take it, likely a Yates or Nibali, and the GC guys will finish, without Alaphillipe, will finish together. Which I guess means Bernal in yellow and all to play for up to VT tomorrow.
Benal for the win today, and to take yellow. Thomas to end the day in second. JA to lose a couple of minutes on them.
I don't mind who wins overall really, apart from picking EB before the start. It's been a great race.
No idea who'll win but REALLY EXCITED. Can't wait
Yeah Pete? What happened??
I think he gave him a yellow jersey. May have been a relative apparently. Loving all the swooning over JA and Pinot. Tres romantique...
Bring in JA and some additional top domestiques and he is a shoe in for a future GC winner.
Not really, he only has the lead he has due to being given a free reign in the first week. He'd be marked out of it if the race started again.
To my disappointment it looks like its not going to be Thomas for the overall, so no comedy speech on the podium in Paris. Given how hard he's tried, I'd be pleased with an Alaphillipe win overall. The French deserve a home win after all these years of putting on such a great event.
Bernal looked impressive yesterday, let go to do his thing he could win the stage and the overall. As many have said above, a break and away will go all the no threat climbers to fight for the stage, leaving the contenders and the top 10 to fight it out.
Jalap to crack today irretrievably, Bernal to go into yellow with massive attach and stage win. Dont think anyone will be able to control it today, lots of cagey man marking
Has potential to be amazing
Not really, he only has the lead he has due to being given a free reign in the first week. He’d be marked out of it if the race started again.
Quite. That and an Ineos team without Froome and maybe in the midst of some sort of semi-wobbly transition. Pinot looks more convincing, and I never thought I'd write that. Cue inevitable implosion 😉
"I think he gave him a yellow jersey"
Yeah , wee sprog had been brought back stage to meet the main man. It was pissing down and he had no jacket. Poor wee bugger was shivering uncontrollably and was close to tears.
As soon as he saw him and without hesitation LouLou wrapped him up in that days podium yellow jersey.
Damn it's just got very dusty in here.
I've tried to find this via Google but my G-fu has deserted me ...
What's the longest anyone has spent in the yellow jersey in a single edition of the Tour and not actually won? JA's going to be remarkably close if it isn't him.
What’s the longest anyone has spent in the yellow jersey in a single edition of the Tour and not actually won?
Voeckler must be well up there in that list!
#askned time
https://twitter.com/juleswinstanley/status/1154691135803199488
listen out when they go on air, folks!
It needs to be fast from the gun today for all, no letting a break go and easing back. Thomas needs it to be attentional. I would expect Bernal to sit in today whilst Thomas gives it a blast, if it doesnt work Bernal to go banzai tomorrow!
Expect Skyneos and Jumbo to turn the screw almost from the off, setting an infernal pace.
Definitely this if they want to see off Alaphillipe.
Skneos will try to block the roads today, back to their original rolling roadblocks and side glances. Don’t think Thomas has yet to go all out and rattle one off, today could be his day at the front of the GC, but i think there will be strength in numbers from other teams helping out DQS to assist Alla.
I don't agree, I think there are several teams wanting to drop Alla and not many with an interest in/capable of supporting him.
Of course there is tomorrow too and there seems to be a lot of comment that the climb to Val Thorens is hard.
Interesting how no one barely mentions Steven. Is it because his name is hard to spell? Got to be a chance surely. Not been decisively dropped on a climb yet and still looks strong.
It's been soooo exciting.
Quite enjoying the many mispronunciations of the French ski resorts from our friends, Gary, David and Ned.
Geraint will have to come up with the goods today, there is still hope.
I wondered yesterday, had Froome been around, would Quintana have got the stage? Not taking anything away from him as it was a long time coming.
I'm hoping for a stage win from Simon Yates.
needs it to be attentional
I mean attritional!!
Never mind the racing, I presume everyone has seen this frankly amazing bit of crowd support? Watch to the end.
https://twitter.com/bischofberger/status/1154510127174684672?s=08
crazy-legs - thanks for that, it looks such fun. However the south African dinosaur looked like a big poo.
And we're off.
However the south African dinosaur looked like a big poo.
No way, the dinosaur makes it!
The perfect ending to a clip of dancing Beefeaters, kids and a banana is a flag-waving dinosaur.
Fact.
C'est parti!
Nothing like as hot today (just down from Tigne) was quite a lot of cloud coverage. Hence I think it will be better for Thomas also looks like they might get some rain down off the Iseran - should make it very exciting.
If Thomas doesn’t make it then I’ll be cheering for LouLou
Pinot looking in all sorts of bother.
He’s not looking good, already lost two minutes on yellow jersey group
Oh Thibaut 🙁
End of Pinot’s TdF. Sad to happen at this point of the race
Real shame, rally feel for him. Dowsett struggling too
Was just about to pick Pinot as my tip for a stage win today 🙁 - a real shame for the Tour as he was starting to animate yesterday.
Will now go for an outside bet on Nibali for the stage with Thomas coming back from yesterday to take time from Alaphilippe and Bernal.
I'd pinned all my hopes on Pinot - I don't think Alaphillipe will win, however much I want him to, I am bored of seeing Ineos win stuff and I've not really engaged with Jumbo Visma. Very sad to see him falling away like that, given how good his form is - I thought this would be his year.
He's in tears now and pulling off.
Oh well, Allez Alaphillipe! Or Steven, he'd do too.
Pinot out
😵😱🤒🤒🤒
Great ride Pinot, great ride.
👏👏👏👏
Oh Pinot... 🙁
That was heartbreaking.
He looked distraught. Poor lad.
Don't think the pool snapper will be on the team's christmas card list. No respect
So cruel. Still hoping against hope that JA can hang on.
Heartbreaking for Pinot
Best French two-week racer of his generation. Of course he is upset - must be illness and when you can't go, your really can't. I had great hopes for him this year too (like the whole of France).
Let's hope Juju can hold on. Otherwise Bernal up the road for a minute gain.
Seemed to be a problem with his leg rather than illness, he went to the first aid car had a dressing on his leg changed then the team cut that one off
Heartbreaking
Suspected knee injury from 2 days ago.. very sad
I like the way the team guy was trying to kick, nudge and hit the photographer with car door
Team say torn muscle in thigh, he finished with it yesterday.
Shame, I like Pinot.
Dowsett in trouble by the sounds of it, he's off the back with some serious climbing still to come.
That was hard to watch. Chapeau to all who finish. It's a tough sport road cycling.
Raining here just down from Tigne. Going to be an interesting descent off the Iseran
Here we go. Skyneos on the front.
Above 2000m now. Bernal and Thomas look stronger than any of the other top 6 imo
how much pain can alaphillipe take. what a pace
Here we go then.
G goes with 6km to go. Buchman looking good too. Quintana gone, wet decent ahead. Trying to get rid of JA before that decent, he's struggling.
JA could be out of the top 8 at this rate!
Bernal...... There's your winning move
All to play foe on the descent. But Egan!
Steven K has to chase it down, and G can just wheel suck all the way behind him. Another rider (Poels?) can wheel suck behind the yellow jumper as well. Good marking.
Perfect for Skyneos
Alla’s still there, he’s not gone yet.
Could be an insane finish ahead here.
JA is already a minute down, he'll be nearly two down by the top (at best)
Love this. Alla will hope that he can gain the time back on the climb, G wiill hope that Jumbo-Visma will drag him back on. This will go nuts on the final climb, absolutely nuts.
Hell of a ride by Kruijswijck and his domestique
Will he risk everything on the descent to claw a bit back?
Bernal holding back and on the radio 🙁 - will he be gifting his first Grand Tour win?
EDIT - back on the pace now and looks like he is cruising
Bernal just getting stronger as the altitude rises
I think Alla has popped here, it's going backwards.
even if he gets back surely they'll give him the coup de grace on the way to Tignes
(that's french, for cup of grass)
Heavy hail in the valley ahead.
Bernal going away on the decent.
Heavy hail in the valley ahead.
Just showed hail lying on the road. Scary.