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The newsflashes
stage 19 - Modane Valfréjus 
Alpe-d’Huez
109.5 km
Friday 22 July
Alpe-d’Huez
109.5 km
Friday 22 July
The newsflashes
17:56 - The top 10 in stage 19...
On the day of many stories in only 109.5km of racing the top 10 is: 1. Pierre Rolland (FRA) EUC 109.5km in 3h13’25" 2. Samuel Sanchez (ESP) EUS at 14" 3. Alberto Contador (ESP) SBS at 23" 4. Peter Velits (SVK) THR at 57" 5. Cadel Evans (AUS) BMC at 57" 6. Thomas De Gendt (BEL) VCD at 57" 7. Damiano Cunego (ITA) LAM at 57" 8. Frank Schleck (LUX) LEO at 57" 9. Andy Schleck (LUX) LEO at 57" 10. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) GRM at 1’15"
17:53 - Pierre Perfect...!
Pierre Rolland has won his first Tour de France stage. He has outclassed Alberto Contador to claim stage 19 in a little over three hours and 13 minutes. The average speed for the 109.5km stage is 34.0km/h. He is indeed the Best Young Rider in Le Tour 2011.
17:51 - The Best young rider!
Indeed, Pierre Rolland has arrived! He is the new leader of the youth classification, the first French stage winner of the 98th Tour and a true star!
17:49 - Sanchez surges behind Rolland...
For the moment it looks as though Rolland has what it takes to win the 19th stage. He is 12" ahead of Sanchez but he and Contador are attacking each and chasing the stage win.
17:48 - Evans with Cunego
Just inside the final 2km Evans and Andy Schleck are 1’00" behind Rolland.
17:47 - Evans Attacks
Evans has attacked his group but Andy has been able to match the Australian.
17:46 - Rolland goes again...
Contador wants a stage win and he’s not prepared to let Rolland gain any time. These two are the best climbers in stage 19.
17:46 - Three in the lead...
Contador has been caught by Rolland and Sanchez. The Frenchman has attacked the Spaniard and this pair are now toying with each other inside the final 2.5km of the stage.
17:45 - Could this be the first French victory in 2011...?
Rolland and Sanchez are just six seconds behind Contador...
17:45 - Cunego attacks Schlecks...
Damiano Cunego has attacked the six in Evans’ group. The Italian is 1’05" behind Contador while the Australian’s group is at 1’12".
17:44 - Second chase group at 53"
De Gendt and Velits are 53" behind Contador but the chasing pair are closing in on the stage leader.
17:43 - Contador wins ’Fighting Spirit’ award
Contador has been voted the most aggressive rider in the 19th stage. To day he will attend the podium protocol for the first time in the 2011.
17:40 - 4km to go...
Contador is just 12" ahead of Sanchez and Rolland with 4km to go.
17:37 - 5km to go...
Contador is inside the final 5km of the 19th stage.
17:36 - Danielson also with Evans...
There are two Garmin-Cervélo riders in the Schleck led group of seven. Tom Danielson is with the group containing his team-mate Hesjedal.
17:35 - ’Bert leads by 23"
Alberto Contador is chasing his fifth stage win in the Tour. He is: 23" ahead of Rolland and Sanchez 42" ahead of Velits and De Gendt 1’05" ahead of Andy, Frank, Cadel, Ryder, Damiano and Jean-Christophe.
17:33 - Evans & Co. at 1’05"
Evans is riding in a group of seven - including the two Schlecks - 1’05" behind the defending champion of the Tour.
17:33 - Sanchez with Rolland again...
The riders in second and third are Rolland and Sanchez. They are 30" behind Contador who doesn’t appear to be showing down.
17:31 - Contador leads Evans by 1’00"
There is 1’00" between the stage leader and the group of Evans, Schleck, Schleck, Cunego, Hesjedal, Peraud...
17:30 - Bogans Running next to Contador...
There are Australian "bogans" running beside the stage leader. They’re wrapped in the national flag and are ignoring the many requests from the race organizers to leave the riders alone on the climbs.
17:29 - Sanchez leave Velits...
Sanchez is now on his own in third place. Only Contador and Rolland are ahead of the Olympic champion from 2008. Velits has been left behind by Sanchez.
17:28 - De Gendt Attacks Schlecks
The Schleck group has been attacked by Thomas De Gendt (VCD). He is now in pursuit of Sanchez and Velits.
17:27 - Contador 58" ahead of Evans & Schlecks...
Contador is: 25" ahead of Rolland 45" ahead of Velits 50" ahead of Sanchez 58" ahead of Frank, Andy, Cadel, Hesjedal, Peraud, Cunego, De Gendt...
17:25 - Velits attacks Evans group
Velits has attacked the Evans’ group and this has prompted a reaction from Samuel Sanchez.
17:24 - Riders in Evans’ group
The rider in the group with Cadel Evans are:
Evans (BMC)
Andy (LEO)
Frank (LEO)
Sanchez (EUS)
Danielson (GRM)
Velits (THR)
Cunego (LAM)
De Gendt (VCD)
Peraud (ALM)..
17:23 - The current situation...
Contador is dancing ahead of everyone. Then comes Pierre Rolland at 19", then Evans’ group of 10 at 38"... then the yellow jersey’s group at 1’30".
17:22 - Is this to be Contador’s fifth Tour stage?
Contador leads Rolland by 10".
There are still 10km to go but it could be that this will become the first stage win in the Tour for Contador since the time trial around lake Annecy in 2009.
Contador has a total of four Tour stage wins to his credit:
Plateau de Beille (in 2007)
Montpellier team time trial (2009)
Verbier (2009)
Annecy TT (2009)
He didn’t win a stage in the Tour last year but he did win the yellow jersey.
17:19 - White and yellow jerseys together
Taaramae is pacing Voeckler as part of a group that’s 50" behind the stage leader.
17:19 - Hesjedal holds on to third...
Andy and Cadel are closing in on Ryder but the Canadian is not waiting for the chasing pair.
17:18 - Basso’s group at 40"
The yellow jersey is 55" behind Contador and Andy has again become the virtual leader of the Tour. Basso is part of a group that’s 40" behind the stage leader - Contador.
17:15 - Contador catches leaders
Contador is with Rolland and Hesjedal now. The Canadian is in the lead and Andy and Cadel are closing in on the leading trio.
17:15 - Evans and Andy responding...
Evans is following Schleck now... marking the man he most needs to keep an eye on. Meanwhile, behind the bunch that was has split to pieces...
17:14 - Contador reinvented...
He had a crisis at the top of the Galibier yesterday but now we’re seeing the Contador of old. ’El Pistolero’ is dancing ahead of an elite bunch that includes the Schleck brothers and Evans.
17:13 - Evans caught
Evans is now riding alongside Frank Schleck. Fuglsang leads Andy at the front of the yellow jersey and now Contador is on the attack... again.
17:12 - Evans and Mollema lead peloton
Evans is now putting a bit of time into the Schleck brothers. The Australian only has Mollema (RAB) with him and there is about 50 meters between the BMC rider and the peloton that’s led by Frank Schleck.
17:11 - Fuglsang attacks peloton
Fuglsang (LEO) has attacked the peloton and now Evans responds in a contrast to how he started this climb in 2008 when he was taunted by Carlos Sastre and the Schleck brothers.
17:10 - Moncoutie leads peloton to climb
There is 52" between Rolland and Hesjedal as the peloton arrives on the climb.
17:09 - Rolland leads by 47"
Rolland and Hesjedal are ahead of the yellow jersey’s peloton by 47". The two stage leaders are now on the climb. The Canadian is at the front and the virtual leader of the youth classification is right on his wheel.
17:08 - Moncoutie near the front
With 15km to go, there is a Cofidis rider ahead of Moncoutie who appears ready to pounce when the road rises to Alpe d’Huez.
17:07 - Voeckler Returns...
The easing of pace of the Contador group on the approach to Alpe d’Huez has allowed Voeckler and his peloton to rejoin the former group of attacking GC men.
17:06 - Evans and Schleck share a word...
Evans has been trying to express his opinion to Andy Schleck but the Luxembourger is trying to ignore the Australian. Frank led briefly until Evans followed him and then the elder brother opened a gap and the Australian had to race around him to follow the right wheels.
17:04 - Two lead three...
Hejsedal and Rolland are together in the lead of the stage. Then come three more counter-attackers: Riblon, Costa and Jeannesson... then the group with the Schlecks, Evans and Contador.
17:03 - 20km to go
There is a less than 6km to go before the road rises and the final ascent begins. Rolland is about to be caught by Hesjedal at the front of the stage.
17:01 - Riblon goes now...
The GC guys are now marking each other in the lead of the stage while the opportunists are going on the attack. Rolland leads Hesjedal (by 5") and then comes Costa (8") the Riblon (at 10")... then the Evans group at 15".
16:57 - the stage leaders
With less than 25km to go in the stage, these are the men in the lead.
Contador (SBS
A. Schleck (LEO)
F. Schleck (LEO)
Sanchez (EUS)
Danielson (GRM)
Hesjedal (GRM)
Costa (MOV)
Riblon (ALM)
Casar (FDJ)
Jeannesson (FDJ)
Evans (BMC)
Cunego (LAM)
Velits (THR)
Rolland (EUC)
16:55 - 25km to go
With 25km to go the leading five are about to be caught by the Evans group.
16:54 - Evans to return by the climb...?
At the moment there is just 12" between Contador and Evans. It’s likely that the chase group will be with the winner of last year’s Tour before the final climb which is 13.9km long... there is a little more than 25km to go.
16:50 - Contador & Evans 23" Apart...
When Contador beat Evans to win the Tour in 2007, the difference between first and second was just 23". That’s the difference between the Spaniard and the Australian right now...
16:47 - All five in the lead working...
All five of the stage leaders are now doing turn at the front. On the way up the climb, it was only Andy and Alberto who did the work but now Sanchez, Riblon and Costa are also contributing to the pace setting. This has cost Evans’ group a little as it is now 32" behind the stage leaders.
16:45 - Yellow jersey at 2’00"
The yellow jersey’s group is now 2’00" behind Contador’s quintet. In between the first chase group and Voeckler are five men: Basso (LIQ), Szmyd (LIQ), Coppel (SAU), Fuglsang (LEO) and Hernandez (SBS)
16:43 - 23" between leaders & Evans...
Evans (BMC) had been with the Contador attack at the 17km mark but then a mechanical incident caused him to stop twice to try and fix his rear derailleur... he eventually stopped for a third time to get a new bike. The maximum loss from this series of misfortunes was 1’50"... but the Australian is now 23" behind the Contador group.
16:38 - Yellow jersey and Alpe d’Huez - Part 03
1988: 1st at Alpe Huez – Steven Rooks (yellow from Bauer to Delgado). 1st overall: Delgado 1989: 1st at Alpe Huez – Gert-Jan Theunisse (yellow from LeMond to Fignon). 1st overall: LeMond 2001: 1st at Alpe Huez – Lance Armstrong (yellow from O’Grady to Armstrong). 1st overall: Armstrong 2003: 1st at Alpe Huez – Iban Mayo (yellow from Virenque to Armstrong). 1st overall: Armstrong 2008: 1st at Alpe Huez – Carlos Sastre (yellow from Frank Schleck to Sastre). 1st overall: Sastre.
16:37 - Yellow jersey and Alpe d’Huez - Part 02
Here is a summary of those changes: 1952: 1st at Alpe d’Huez – Fausto Coppi (yellow from Carrea to Coppi). 1st overall: Coppi 1976: 1st at Alpe d’Huez – Joop Zoetemelk (yellow from Maertens to van Impe). 1st overall: van Impe 1978: 1st at Alpe d’Huez – Hennie Kuiper (yellow from Bruyere to Zoetemelk). 1st overall: Hinault 1983: 1st at Alpe d’Huez – Peter Winnen (yellow from Pascal Simon to Fignon). 1st overall: Fignon 1987: 1st at Alpe d’Huez – Federico Echavé (yellow from Roche to Delgado). 1st overall: Roche
16:36 - Yellow jersey has changed 11 times at Alpe d’Huez - Intro
Since the Tour’s first arrival at Alpe d’Huez in 1952, the yellow jersey has been different a different rider because of the stage to this mountain top finish. Seven times, has the rider who has led the general classification after Alpe d’Huez been the overall champion of that year’s Tour de France.
16:35 - Giovanni Battaglin 60 Today
In the 1979 Tour de France two stages concluded at Alpe d’Huez. Stage 17 started in Les Menuires and the winner was Portugal’s Joaquim Agostino while, in seventh, was Giovanni Battaglin. The Italian was fifth the next day Joop Zoetemelk claimed the victory in a 118.5km stage that started and finished in Alpe d’Huez... Agostino was fourth and Battaglin fifth. The Italian celebrates his 60th birthday today. He was the winner of the mountains classification in 1979 and finished sixth overall in the Tour in which the podium – 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall (Hinault, Zootemelk and Agostino) have all been winners at Alpe d’Huez.
16:34 - Sanchez catches leaders
Sanchez is now part of the lead group (45km from the finish). This group is:
Contador (SBS)
A. Schleck (LEO)
Costa (MOV)
Riblon (ALM)
Sanchez (EUS)
16:33 - The Evans Group
The riders in the second chase group are:
Evans (BMC)
Jeannesson (FDJ)
Casar (FDJ)
F. Schleck (LEO)
Danielson (GRM)
Hesjedal (GRM)
Cunego (LAM)
Velits (THR)
Rolland (EUC)
They are 30" behind the stage leaders with about 47km to go.
16:31 - Yellow jersey at 1’58"
With 50km to go, Voeckler is 1’58" behind the stage leaders.
16:31 - Sanchez Just 11" behind at 59km
At the 59km mark, Sanchez is 11" behind Contador, A. Schleck, Costa and Riblon... Evans and his group are at 38".
16:29 - 50km to go
The yellow jersey is 1’50" behind the stage leaders who are now inside the final 50km of the stage.
16:28 - Evans just 20" behind...
Evans has used the early part of the descent well. He is now just 20" behind the Contador quartet.
16:25 - Contador looking behind...
Contador is now at the back of the leading quartet and he appears to be seeing if Sanchez is closing in on his group.
16:22 - Evans closing in on Contador
Sanchez is 25" behind the Contador quartet, while Evans is at 35".
16:21 - Result of Galiber Climb
The leaders are over the second climb. The result of the Galiber climb is: 1. Andy Schleck (LEO) 20pts 2. Alberto Contador (SBS) 16pts 3. Rui Costa (MOV) 12pts 4. Christophe Ribon (ALM) 8pts 5. Samuel Sanchez (EUS) 4pts - at 35" 6. Ryder Hesjedal (GRM) 2pts - at 42" Evans was at 48"
16:17 - Four lead Evans group by 50"
Evans group is now 50" behind the Contador quartet.
16:16 - Europcar swapping yellow for white...
Now that Voeckler has cracked it’s time for Pierre Rolland to race for himself. He is poised to take the lead of the youth classification that had been won by Andy Schleck since the Luxembourger started riding the Tour. Andy has become the virtual leader of the Tour, and Pierre the virtual white jersey.
16:15 - Rolland and Charteau chase down Evans...
With Voeckler now out of the chase group his team-mates are playing their own cards. Rolland and Charteau were able to accelerate across the gap that Evans had created.
16:14 - Evans off in pursuit of Sanchez
Evans is now chasing down Samuel Sanchez and this latest bout of action has eliminated Voeckler from the chase group.
16:13 - Three kilometers to climb
The yellow jersey’s group now has 16 men in it - including one of Contador’s team-mates Daniel Navarro. This group is 1’10" behind the Contador quartet with 3km to climb on the Galibier.
16:12 - Velits also with yellow group...
Velits (THR) is another rider with the group containing Voeckler.
16:10 - 14 Behind By 1’07"
The 14 chasers are 1’07" behind Contador, A. Schleck, Riblon and Costa.
16:08 - Evans 1’15" Behind
Evans is closing the gap to the stage leaders. The BMC leader is now just 1’15" behind the Contador quartet. The maximum gain of the Contador move on the Australian was 1’50" when three BMC team-mates were setting the pace for their leader.
16:07 - Basso at the back of Evans group...
Basso and his team-mates had helped Evans after the mechanical issue that threw him out of the Contador group. The Italian is now at the back of the group that’s being led by Evans.
16:06 - 20 with Evans...
There are only about 20 riders in the group that’s being led by Evans. They are about to catch Voeckler who has collapsed from his effort. He is struggling to turn the pedals and it could be a long, hard ride to Alpe d’Huez for the rider with the yellow jersey.
16:05 - Taaramae Dropped
The rider in the white jersey, Rein Taaramae is unable to match the pace being dished out by Evans. The Estonian has been dropped by the Evans-led bunch.
16:03 - Voeckler exploding...
Voeckler has been pushing himself hard to defend the yellow jersey but the Frenchman is now cracking. He is struggling to turn the pedal and his deficit to the four stage leaders is now 55".
16:00 - Two team-mates with Evans
Morabito and Moinard are ahead of Evans and the rest of the peloton that is now 1’47" behind the Contador quartet.
15:56 - Four in the lead now...
Izagirre has been dropped by the Contador group.
15:55 - Andy prepared to help Alberto...
Alberto Contador has been doing the most work at the front of the lead group but Andy Schleck has recently a turn of pace. They are 1’50" ahead of the Evans peloton that continues to be led by three of the Australians team-mates...
15:52 - Peloton inside final 10km of climb
There is less than 10km to go before the riders have to switch from climbers to descenders. There is 25" between the Contador group and the yellow jersey and 1’40" to the peloton...
15:51 - Gorka Izagirre’s Father: 46 today...
One of several Euskaltel riders who are regular attackers, Gorka Izagirre is ranked 69th overall after 18 stages. He is one of the fastest descenders in the peloton and his brother Jon is also a member of the Basque team. Their father, José-Ramon – who was also a professional rider, and a cyclo-cross specialists – turns 46 today. Gorka is currently part of the quintet that leads the yellow jersey by 28" and the peloton by 1’40".
15:50 - Voeckler in the big chainring...
Voeckler is 30" behind Contador and climbing the Galibier in the big chainring. He is now on his own in his pursuit of the five stage leaders: Contador, A. Schleck, Riblon, Costa and Izagirre.
15:50 - Andy gaining time because of mechanical issue...
A year ago there was a huge debate about the ethics of Contador who attacked just as his main rival in the 2010 Tour, Andy Schleck, suffered a dropped chain. There was uproar from some and acceptance by others but the topic remained subject of arguments for months. A similar topic is raised today as the riders who finished first and second last year never hesitated to accelerate while Evans tried to remedy his mechanical issues around the 20km mark.
15:47 - Four BMC lead peloton
There are four from the BMC team at the front of the peloton that is not closing in on the five stage leaders. The latest time check has Voeckler 25" behind Contador’s quintet and the Evans group at 1’36".
15:44 - Situation with 13km to climb
Voeckler is 34" behind the stage leaders with 13km to climb to the Col du Galibier. The peloton with Evans and Basso is at 1’40".
15:42 - Andy now takes a turn...
Realizing that he can gain time on Evans, Andy Schleck is now helping Contador with the pace setting at the front of the peloton. The Spaniard set the pace from the moment he attacked (16km) to the 35km mark.
15:40 - Duque & Koren caught by Voeckler...
Voeckler worked with Flecha for a while but he is now attempting to chase down the five stage leaders. Voeckler is 35" behind Contador and the Frenchman is part of a group of four: Voeckler, Flecha, Koren and Duque.
15:39 - Average Speed For First Hour
The average speed for the opening hour of stage 19 is 33.8km/h.
15:38 - Five in the lead
There are five men in the lead of stage 19, they are:
Contador
A. Schleck
Izagirre
Riblon
Costa
15:35 - Hoogerland with Voeckler
Voeckler has caught Hoogerland and Flecha who is another dropped rider.
15:34 - Koren and Hoogerland dropped
The lead group is down to seven men: Koren (LIQ) and Hoogerland (VCD) have been dropped.
15:34 - Voeckler closing in on leaders...
Voeckler and Pineau are now 20" behind Contador’s group of nine as they begin the ascent of the Col du Galibier.
15:31 - Peloton at 1’35"
The Evans group is now 1’35" behind the stage leaders who are:
Contador
A. Schleck
Izagirre
Costa
Koren
Riblon
Flecha
Duque
Hoogerland.
15:29 - Schleck leading climbing classification
With his second place at the top of the Telegraphe, Schleck has taken over the lead of the climbing classification. He now has 78 points, eight more than Jelle Vanendert.
15:28 - Evans at 1’36"
At the top of the first climb, the peloton - led by Liquigas and including Evans - is 1’36" behind the Contador group.
15:26 - Pineau with Voeckler...
Voeckler has support from Jerome Pineau who is leading the yellow jersey 30" behind the defending Tour champion and his group of about eight riders including the winner from yesterday, Andy Schleck.
15:22 - Contador powerling lead group...
Andy has done nothing but follow Contador today. The Spaniard is now at the front of the lead group that is over a minute ahead of the Evans-led peloton.
15:22 - Evans caught by peloton
Evans is now at the front of the peloton that had been led by Liquigas. This group is 1’08" behind Contador’s group.
15:21 - Schleck virtual leader
Voeckler is now 25" behind the stage leaders. This means that Andy Schleck is the virtual leader of the Tour.
15:21 - The Leaders 1’05" ahead of Evans.
Contador, Schleck, Costa, Koren, Riblon, Flecha, Duque, Hoogerland, Izagirre are the riders in the lead. They are 1’05" ahead of Evans.
15:20 - Contador catches leaders
Contador has caught the lead group and now it’s Iglisnkiy who is setting the pace at the front of the stage. The defending Tour champion is just behind him with Andy Schleck marking him closely.
15:19 - Evans begins the pursuit of his life...
Burghardt is still there to assist Evans who is now back on a functioning bike. The gap between Contador’s group (Iglinskiy and Andy Schleck) and Evans was 50" at the last check.
15:18 - Evans issues with 4.5km to climb...
The BMC team has finally changed the bike of the rider in fourth overall. He has had to stop three times because of mechanical issues.
15:17 - Evans off bike again...
Cadel has stopped for a second time and he is now 55" behind the Contador group. He has Brughardt along with him for support and the Australian is now riding again.
15:16 - Evans with mechanical issues...
Cadel Evans has been forced to stop and check his bike. He cannot maintain the pace of Contador who is now speeding ahead of the yellow jersey.
15:14 - Leaders 5km from Top of Telegraphe
The 11 in the lead are inside the final 5km of the Telegraphe climb. Costa is now setting the pace of the escape. They are 25" ahead of Contador’s group.
15:13 - Contador 40" behind stage leaders
Contador is out of the saddle and dancing away from Greipel. Voeckler is still hanging in to the group that also contains the riders in second, third, fourth and seventh overall. Szmyd of Liquigas is leading the peloton. The counter-attack is 40" behind Pineau’s 11 and 45" ahead of the Liquigas-led peloton.
15:11 - Burghardt caught by Contador
The counter-attack is now being led by the German BMC rider Marcus Burghardt but he lasted about 10 seconds before Contador surged past him.
15:11 - Burghardt waiting for Evans...
Burghardt (BMC) was part of the original escape. He is now waiting for the group that includes Contador, Evans, Voeckler, Andy Schleck and another early escapee, Andre Greipel.
15:10 - Pineau still leading the stage...
Pineau and his 10 escape companions have not yet been caught by Contador and co. The Quickstep rider has been at the front of the stage for much of the climb today.
15:09 - Liquigas leading peloton
There are three men who were part of the move by Contador but Frank Schleck, Carlos Barredo and Damiano Cunego have been caught by the peloton that is now 1’00" behind the defending champion.
15:07 - Dries Devenyns 28 Today
The Quickstep rider who was in an escape in yesterday’s stage, Dries Devenyns from Belgium celebrates his 28th birthday today. He ended stage 18 in 41st place and is currently ranked 39th overall. This is his second Tour de France and, to date, his best stage placing is third in Gap in the 2010 edition when he was beaten by Sergio Paulinho and Vasil Kiryienka... a few days ago he was in an escape again and finished ninth in Gap. Happy birthday Dries.
15:07 - Contador unbeaten at Alpe d’Huez
This is the first day that Contador has raced to Alpe d’Huez during the Tour de France. He has, however, won a stage of the Criterium du Dauphine on this celebrated climb (during last year’s race in June).
15:06 - Contador’s Move began at 16km
The attack by Contador started at the 16km mark. He is still at the front...
15:05 - Frank can’t hold the pace
Frank Schleck and Barredo have been dropped by the surge from Contador. The defending champion has Andy, Cadel and Thomas along with him but the Saxo Bank rider is the only one setting the pace. Voeckler is already scrounging for gears but he’s holding on to this elite group.
15:04 - Barredo dropped
Contador is putting the hammer down and only Frank Scheck can respond early but Cadel is dragging himself up to the tenacious move by the defending Tour champion.
15:03 - Navarro out of the counter-attack
There are now six men in the counter-attack:
Contador (SBS)
Voeckler (EUC)
Evans (BMC)
Barredo (RAB)
Schleck (LEO)
Schleck (LEO)
15:03 - Seven lead peloton by 10"
There is 10" between the group of Contador and Voekler and the peloton.
15:02 - Voeckler bridges to lead group
The yellow jersey is now along with the six including Contador and Evans.
15:02 - Uran dropped
Uran (SKY) has been dropped by the yellow jersey’s peloton.
15:01 - Here comes Cadel...
Cadel Evans (BMC) has chased down the Contador move. So too has Carlos Barredo (RAB).
15:01 - Frank chases down Alberto
There are now four in the counter-attack:
Contador (SBS)
Navarro (SBS)
Andy Schleck (LEO)
Frank Schleck (LEO)
15:00 - Three Saxos in lead...
Navarro has joined the move of Contador and Schleck.
15:00 - Contador attacking
Alberto Contador has started to attack. He has Andy Schleck with him and this pair - first and second in the Tour last year - are now with Sorensen with a slight lead on the peloton.
14:59 - Greipel dropped
The 14 leaders continue to be led by Pineau. The pace of the Frenchman is too much for Greipel who has been dropped.
14:59 - Six Leopards lead peloton
Joost Posthuma - who was in the early escape yesterday - is one of six Leopard-Trek riders at the front of the peloton.
14:51 - Schleck Earned A 5,000 Euro Bonus
A stage win at the Tour de France pays 8,000 euros (4,000 for second, 2,000 for third, 1,200 for fourth... down to 200 for 20th place – and total each day of 22,500 euros). First place on a ‘hors categorie’ climb is worth 800 euros. And first place in the stage to the top of the Col du Galibier pass gets a special reward, the ‘Souvenir Henri Desgrange’ – named after the founder of the Tour de France – and worth an extra 5,000 euros. Andy Schleck is currently ranked second overall, a position that scores 200,000 euros at the finish of the Tour (versus the 450,000 for first place). He is also ranked third in the climbing classification which is worth 10,000 (versus 25,000 for the winner)... it all adds up to quite a pay day by the end of the Tour.
14:51 - Voeckler at back of peloton
The yellow jersey is now riding at the back of the peloton that is 2’00" behind the 14 escapees.
14:48 - 100km to go...
The bunch is already at the 9km mark. There are now just 100km to go in the 19th stage.
14:48 - Lead grows to 55"
The 14 men in the lead of the stage have a gain of 55" on the peloton that is now led by a Leopard-Trek rider.
14:46 - 14 Lead by 35"
At the 6km mark, the 14 escapees are 35" ahead of the peloton that is led by a mix of teams: Liquigas, Europcar, Leopard-Trek... but there doesn’t seem to be any on in particular interested in taking responsibility for the chase of the 14.
14:45 - 14 ahead by 25" At 4km...
The 14 leaders are 25". The men in the lead are:
Izagirre and Urtasun (EUS)
Greipel (OLO)
Iglinskiy (AST)
Gutierriez and Costa (MOV)
Koren (LIQ)
Riblon (ALM)
Flecha (SKY)
Pineau (QST)
Burghardt (BMC)
Duque and Buffaz (COF)
Hoogerland
14:43 - Counter-attack closing in
The four leaders are about to be caught by a group of about 12 riders including Pineau (QST).
14:42 - The Four leaders...
The riders in the lead of the 19th stage are:
Urtasun (EUS)
Buffaz (COF)
Burghardt (BMC)
Hoogerland (VCD)
14:41 - Peloton at 12"
Astana is leading the peloton that is 18" behind Hoogerland, Burghardt and the, as yet, unidentified Cofidis and Euskaltel riders. In between the leaders and the bunch is a group of counter-attackers at 10 seconds. So far 2.5km have been raced.
14:40 - Four continue to lead
The Hoogerland quartet is still at the front of the race and now there are a number of others trying to bridge to the lead group.
14:38 - Hoogerland sets off immediately
The official start of the 19th stage was at 2.38pm. As soon as the flag fell to signal the start, Johnny Hoogerland (VCD) set off on an attack. He has been joined by riders from BMC (Burghardt), Cofidis and Euskaltel.
14:37 - Early downhill for 14km
The first 14km of the stage are essentially downhill from Modane to St-Michel-de-Maurienne. And then it’s uphill to the col du Télégraphe.
14:36 - Five Europcar riders at the front
The big question about this 109.5km stage is who is going to be game to attack early on a day that includes the fearsome col du Galibier. At the moment, as the bunch rolls through the neutral zone before the red lead car of race director Christian Prudhomme, there are five riders from the Europcar team holding pole position. Just behind them are three Quickstep riders and a few from Liquigas.
14:34 - Intermediate sprint in Bourg d’Oisans
The village at the base of the final climb, Bourg d’Oisans, is where the intermediate sprint of the 19th stage will be contested. This is at the 94.5km mark and, from then onwards, it’s all uphill to the finish.
14:33 - Three climbs today...
On the menu for the 19th stage are three categorized climbs along the short 109.5km course. The ascents are the Col du Telegraphe (cat-one at 26.5km), the col du Galibier – ridden in the opposite direction to stage 18 (highest ranking, at 48.5km) and the final climb to the ‘hors categorie’ finish at Alpe d’Huez.
14:31 - Prize Jersey Review – Part 04: White
Rein Taaramae (COF) is the fourth rider to wear the white jersey in the 2011 Tour de France. The Estonian on the French wild-card team is ranked 11th overall now – moving up from 13th place. He is 9’36” behind Thomas Voeckler in the GC rankings but first in the youth classification with an advantage of just 33” on Pierre Rolland (EUC) and 3’10” ahead of the former leader, Rigoberto Uran (SKY). The Colombian crashed in stage 18 and finished in 27th place, 7’31” behind Andy Schleck.
14:29 - Prize Jersey Review – Part 03: Polka-Dot
Andy Schleck (LEO) collected 42 points in the climbing classification yesterday. He scored double points on the col du Galibier and is now ranked third in the race for the polka-dot jersey. He has a total of 70 points, four less than Jelle Vanendert (OLO) and only two less than Samuel Sanchez (EUS). The three winners of the three high mountain stages are now ranked first, second and third in the King of the Mountains category. With three high passes in stage 19, there is every reason to believe that this category could be entirely different at the end of today’s stage. There are 10 points on offer for the first over the col du Telegraphe, 20 points for first over the col du Galibier and 40 for first place at Alpe d’Huez.
14:25 - Prize Jersey Review – Part 02: Green
Yesterday there were 87 outside the time limit in the stage (nine per cent of the winner’s time). With Andy Schleck finishing the 200.5km stage in 6h07’56” the limit was calculated to be 6h41’03” but the rules stipulate that if over 20 per cent of the peloton finishes outside the limit they may be reintegrated into the race – but with a 20 point penalty in the points classification. This means that Mark Cavendish (THR), who was in the final group – that finished 35’40” behind Andy Schleck – lost 20 points of his tally is still in the green jersey but his advantage over José Joaquim Rojas (MOV) is now just 15 points (300 versus 285). Rojas was 59th, 31’17” behind Schleck. Philippe Gilbert (OLO) was in the same group as Cavendish and thus has a tally of 230 points and is ranked third in the race for the green jersey.