Stage 19: Embrun to Salon-de-Provence (222.5 kms)

After 3192 kms, the race had its longest stage today. 222.5 kms! The longest stage in Tour De France history is 482 kms during the 1920s. Not much was expected from today, until some echelons form and crashes happen. More is expected from tomorrow’s time trial at Marseille.

As you can see, the course isn’t exactly “flat” which meant if a breakaway would form, it would stick. As it is Belgium’s national day, Belgian riders were in full mood to attack: Julien Vermote (Quick Step) was the first on the move followed by Guillaume van Keirsbulck (Wanty). There were some more attacks but all were caught within the 1st 10k. 8 riders moved in to the lead: Adrian Petit (Direct Energie), Michael Albasini (Orica), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (Wanty), Julian Vermote (Quick Step), Marcus Burghardt (Bora), Pierre Rolland and Dylan Van Baarle (Cannondale) and Maxime Bouet (Fortuneo). They were joined by Imanol Erviti (Movistar) and Olivier Le Gac (FDJ). Ondrej Cink (Bahrain Merida) quit the Tour early during the stage, making it 168 riders remaining out of the 198 that started. The Peloton was all together at 25k and as they approached the 1st categorized climb of the day, Col Lebraut attacks began. Romain Sicard(Direct Energie) took the climb and took 2 points in the KOM competition. Warren Barguil had nothing to worry about other than not crashing, because he has the Polka Dot Jersey in the bag.

At 30k the peloton was all back together. Still 192.5k to go. It was going to be long and boring for most parts. But hey, all this is part of the tour! Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo) and Lilian Calmejane (Direct Energie) started the party by attacking again. Soon 18 more guys joined the party: Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale), Daniele Bennati (Movistar), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Ben Swift (UAE), Rudy Molard (FDJ), Michael Albasini and Jens Keukeleire (Orica), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Gianluca Brambilla (Quick Step), Robert Kiserlovski (Katusha), Thomas De Gendt and Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal), Nikias Arndt (Sunweb), Julien Simon (Cofidis), Lilian Calmejane, Sylvain Chavanel and Romain Sicard (Direct Energie), Elie Gesbert, Romain Hardy and Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo-Oscaro) built a 3 minute lead after 40km of racing. Romain Hardy (Fortuneo) attacked up côte de Bréziers and took 2 points. And then there were 167, as Timo Roosen (LottoNL-Jumbo) also abandoned. The peloton was at 6 minutes behind at 55k. At km 88, Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale), Daniele Bennati (Movistar), Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), Ben Swift (UAE), Rudy Molard (FDJ), Michael Albasini and Jens Keukeleire (Orica), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Gianluca Brambilla (Quick Step), Robert Kiserlovski (Katusha), Thomas De Gendt and Tony Gallopin (Lotto-Soudal), Nikias Arndt (Sunweb), Julien Simon (Cofidis), Lilian Calmejane, Sylvain Chavanel and Romain Sicard (Direct Energie), Elie Gesbert, Romain Hardy and Pierre-Luc Périchon (Fortuneo-Oscaro) had built an 8 minute lead. The gap came back to 6:50 at 108k. The most interesting bit was the French air force, forming a heart in French Tri colour.

With Michael Matthews not even competing for the intermediate sprint, Thomas De Gendt(Lotto Soudal) took the 20 points for the sprint.

With 61km to go, Jens Keukeleire (Orica) was the first breakaway rider to attack. Roman Sicard again attacked up the 3rd hill, Col du Pointu(which translates to Pointy hill!) and took 2 more points. With 25km to go, the 20 riders in the lead had a 9.40 lead over the peloton led by Team Sky.

Out of the 20, 9 guys: Jan Bakelants (AG2R-La Mondiale), Daniele Bennati (Movistar), Michael Albasini and Jens Keukeleire (Orica), Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data), Thomas De Gendt (Lotto-Soudal), Nikias Arndt (Sunweb), Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie), Elie Gesbert (Fortuneo-Oscaro) attacked and went 20 seconds ahead with 17 kms to go. With 10km to go, Bakelants, Bennati, Albasini, Keukeleire, Boasson Hagen, De Gendt, Arndt, Chavanel, Gesbert built a 25 second lead. I was sincerly hoping Boasson Hagen wins today after losing 2 close finishes. Elie Gesbert, the youngest rider of the Tour de France attacked with 8k to go. And then there were plenty of attacks but the group was all together even as they were 4 kms for the finish. With less than 3k to go, there a roundabout which was shorter on the right side. Arndt and Boasson Hagen have took the roundabout on the right side while the other riders went on the left. And all of a sudden they were 8 bike lengths away from the remaining 6. Boasson Hagen powered on, showing his old form, a form that won his stages at the Tours and the Norwegian National Championship. And with a perfectly timed attack, he finally won a stage at this year’s Tour De France!

The peloton rolled in 10 minutes later, safe and sound, all set for the intense 22.5k Time Trial at Marseille finishing at the 67000 seater Olympique Marseille stadium!

Today’s results:

General Classification:

Jersey wearers after Stage 19:

Hoping for an epic day tomorrow! Thanks for reading! #TDF2017