Bonjour and welcome to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 19 of the 2024 Tour de France!
Today's queen stage is absolutely brutal with a duo of hors catégorie climbs and a final cat. test to the finish at the Isola 2000 ski resort. It's a stage that's been talked about ever since it was announced as part of the route back in October. And it should more than live up to the billing with Visma-Lease a Bike needing a generational performance from leader Jonas Vingegaard, if he is to cut into race leader Tadej Pogačar's 3:11 lead overall.
Make sure to read CN's preview of the stage from one of our great team on the ground in France, Barry Ryan. It takes in both the current standings of Pogačar and Vingegaard's camps with words from their teams, alongside detailing the triptych of hellish climbs that line today's 144.6km route and the historical importance they've had in Tours de France gone by:
A look at the brutish profile of today's stage 19, with the three climbs - all above 2000m altitude - fully in view:
Pogačar wasn't pulling any punches after Thursday's stage in Barcelonette, telling reporters that he is ready to employ the same tactics today that have built him such a big lead after 18 stages:
Racing is due to get underway from Embrun in around an hour and a half with a 10-minute neutralised roll-out.
A reminder that the middle climb of today's stage is the stuff of legend really. The Cime de la Bonette is the highest paved road in France (third in Europe) and the absolute roof of where the Tour de France can go at 2802m. At 22.9km in length and with an average gradient of 6.9%, it could be where a killer blow is landed, with any struggle in the legs amplified by the thinnest of air nearing it's other-worldly looking summit.
The Cime de la Bonette hasn't featured at the Tour for 16 years, when in 2008, John-Lee Augustyn famously crested the fabled climb in first before overshooting a hairpin on the descent and falling onto the side of the mountain. Thankfully, he was OK but his bike had gone tumbling down the descent without him and he missed out on the stage, crossing the line in 33rd with one of the men who caught him on the descent - Cyril Dessel - taking the stage victory.
France's highest climb has feature four times in the Tour with three different riders summiting it in first. The late great Federico Bahamontes led over the summit in 1963 and 1964, with the six-time King of the Mountains at the Tour proving he was just that, while Cyclingnews columnist Philippa York was first to the top in 1993, having escaped in the company of Pedro Delgado. John-Lee Augustyn was the most recent as mentioned.
GC standings heading into stage 19
If you missed yesterday's stage, it saw a stunning win from the breakaway for Victor Campenaerts. Catch up with the race report here:
He also gave a fantastic, emotional interview after the stage was up, crediting his girlfriend Nel massively for his success after a tough season:
Just over an hour away from the start of the queen stage in Embrun now.
It will be a huge day for Soudal-QuickStep as they look to hold onto their podium spot with Remco Evenepoel in the overall. His key helper will be Mikel Landa, who was brought in for the 2024 season to do just that and is also sat fifth overall.
It wasn't exactly a stage for him but there will be no Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) on stage 19 as he has left the race. His team gave no reason but I presume it is to save his legs for the Paris Olympics individual time trial on Sunday, July 27.
Great reception for stage 17 winner Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) as teams complete the sign-on and team presentation in Embrun. He could possibly double up if a massive breakaway was allowed to get away, however, that is looking unlikely as the GC teams eye victory and time gains on the queen stage.
World Champion Mathieu van der Poel waist to sign-on for stage 19 with his Alpecin-Deceuninck teammates.
Just 30 minutes form the start of stage 19 now.
While Pogačar has been in dominant form at the 2024 Tour, netting back-to-back wins in the Pyrenees last weekend, he has come unstuck on the hardest stages under the pressure of Vingegaard at the past two Tours. Col du Granon and the Col de la Loze will most certainly be on his mind, however, he seems to have addressed his only possible weakness on the toughest and hottest days. He's also got a massive gap in his favour.
Remco Evenepoel arrives to do battle in the Alps on stage 19. He's 5:09 down on Pogačar and 1:58 away from Vingegaard in third so would need a huge day to move up, however, third place is all but wrapped up if he can avoid disaster and cracking, with a near-eight-minute buffer on João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) in fourth.
Despite crashing heavily on stage 18 on the descent towards Barcelonnette, Tobias Halland Johannessen was at the start and looks like he will thankfully start today's stage for Uno-X Mobility.
Here's Vingegaard at the start of stage 19. He'll need to produce something truly special if he is to wrest the lead of the Tour from Pogačar.
Vingegaard will surely put all of the Visma-Lease a Bike team to work, both on the front and possibly with satellite riders to try everything they can in pursuit of a third maillot jaune in succession.
Just a few minutes until the neutralised start of stage 19.
Well he certainly looked confident on stage at the start in Embrun. Is today the day Pogačar lands a knockout blow in the GC? We're about to find out.
Stage 19 start
It's chatty for the moment in the peloton but things will soon be into the brutal terrain with the GC battle coming into focus again. This is going to be a special stage.
144.6km to go
Yesterday's winner Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) is the first to hit the accelerator and there looks to be another huge fight for the breakaway on.
It's s short stage in kilometres, of course, with the time being made up by the severity of climbs. Satellite riders could be vital and it's no surprise to see Visma and UAE right towards the front.
It's a flat start heading towards the foot of the Col de Vars, with only the intermediate sprint in Guillestre in between.
Another non starter today in Israel-Premier Tech's Jake Stewart.
Visma are showing full intent with Christophe Laporte trying to get into this first move alongside a whole host of other riders.
140km to go
Matteo Jorgenson has found his way into the front group for now which is probably why UAE are trying to control things, but they aren't panicking for now. The American making it into a break could be huge.
It's a 21-rider group at the front of the race for now but the peloton is closing in quickly. UAE have stopped pacing on the front strangely, allowing teams who have missed the move to do some work.
Jorgenson and Laporte are driving things on the front of the breakaway to try and make sure it sticks. Their lead is currently at eight seconds, with a very strong group joining them in their efforts.
Rui Costa is the man chasing for EF in the peloton, surely trying to make sure Richard Carapaz can get into the breakaway before it gets too far away.
Just as I typed, UAE have now taken over but there's still no serious urgency from the to bring it back. Break is at 20 seconds for now with it extending on this flatter section of road.
Composition of group 1 who now have 46 seconds of a lead:
UAE have just let the gap grow, not wanting to pace and respond to Visma's tactics do desperately. EF tried to do some work with Bissegger, but they have to settle with just Powless up there as Carapaz hasn't made it for now.
130km to go
Kelderman momentarily got off the front on his own as he had done in an earlier stage. He's been joined up by Jorgenson as Visma try to make the front group into a better set of riders willing to work.
A look inside the fast and furious opening 15km, where a big breakaway was formed by the likes of Van Wilder and Jorgenson pulling hard here.
The breakaway's lead is almost out to a minute as Visma continue to smash things on the front of the breakaway to force it into life and a big advantage ahead of the first climb of the day - the Col de Vars - which is just a few kilometres away.
Still EF continue to ride but Pogačar is showing himself towards the front of the peloton with Vingegaard right on him.
Intermediate Sprint
EF and Jayco have done great work as they close in on the climb.
Carapaz now attacks with 122km to go as he tries to make it into the break. He's joined by Egan Bernal (Ineos Grenadiers), which could do great for Visma whose lead in the break was melting away under the pressure of EF's chase.
Bardet has joined the two South Americans as they try and make the junction up to the front. Yates has missed it but is trying to chase on behind.
120km to go
Riders are all over the road on stage 19 of the Tour de France with Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) already out the back and struggling. It's going to be a tough day for any of the fast men hoping to make it to Nice on stage 21.
Laporte is being dropped out of the break having helped Jorgenson and Kelderman make it into the break of the day for Visma.
Carapaz, Bernal and Bardet are making good ground with Yates now into a good rhythm and working himself towards the front group.
Jorgenson and Kelderman are still working on the front of the break to maximise their advantage but it isn't actually that big still, with the peloton only at 35 seconds according to the race timer.
The grupetto is already forming at the back of the race after such an infernal start.
Juul-Jensen is doing a tremendous job to pull Yates towards the front after getting in the early move. Powless has similarly dropped back to give Carapaz a big pull.
Visma are doing well in front but struggling behind with Laporte and Van Aert going backwards already on the first climb of the day.
Marc Soler has started setting a pace on the first climb with 16.6km left on the ascent up the Col de Vars.
A sign of just how tough things are in the front group - Lazkano is starting to struggle now. Perhaps so many days in the break has done for the stunningly strong Basque rider.
117km to go
Carapaz has made contact and he has Powless to thank, whose efforts to get the Ecuadorian into the move has seen him go backwards. Chapeau EF once again for great race tactics.
Bernal couldn't quite make it alongside Carapaz and is now struggling in no man's land. Meintjes is similarly being reeled back in now after his attack.
Laporte and Van Aert both dropped! Vingegaard looks isolated in the group of GC favourites, with only Benoot directly near his wheel to offer and support.
Just eight riders have made it into the front breakaway with 14.7km still left to climb on the Col de Vars:
Vingegaard is isolated in the group behind with Jan Tratnik also dropping away. Only Benoot and ex-military man Bart Lemmen are with him, however, Jorgenson or Kelderman could of course drop back if needed.
115km to go
Remco Evenepoel has Jan Hirt and Mikel Landa with him for company in the group of favourites, with Van Wilder up in front also proving just how well they are racing as a GC group at the Tour.
Pogačar dropped back to have a chat with Almeida and even then, Vingegaard followed right on his wheel. A sign of intent from the Visma man. Nils Politt is also doing a magic job to still be at the back of the group.
Jorgenson and Kelderman doing a stunning job in the breakaway so far. They could become vital later in the day when Vingegaard inevitably tries to launch something.
The gap from the nine men in front is now at 1:20 with Sivakov still tapping away on the front for UAE.
110km to go
Sivakov gave the signal to calm down to his teammates after Yates was on the radio, so it looks as though UAE want to ensure Politt can survive over this climb and pull on the valley road that approaches the Cime de la Bonette.
A look at that call for calm from Sivakov. Gap to the nine-man breakaway is out to two minutes now as Kelderman continues to work in front.
Mountains of work have been smashed by the likes of Soler and Sivakov throughout this year's Tour.
105km to go
Politt proving every bit of his worth as a new signing for the 2024 season as he continues to show great climbing legs. He's on the front and allowing the gap to the break to eke out close to three minutes now.
The nine-man breakaway of the day on stage 19.
We're getting a look at the Col de Vars descent now and not only does it look lovely but it looks incredibly fast with large sections where you won't need to touch the breaks. Expect huge speeds.
The breakaway is into the final kilometre of the climb where I expect Carapaz to launch away and try and score the maximum points up the HC climb.
Almost on cue, the EF man comes through and it's a big gain for Carapaz who takes the full 20 points in the KOM classification.
100km to go
UAE lead the peloton over the crest of the Col de Vars and they do so 3:30 down on the leaders.
Speeds well over 100kph on these fast open roads.
The gap is still going out to the break with it now at 3:50.
90km to go
Here it is then, the highest point of the Tour de France and the highest road in France. It's going to be brutal, it's going to be stunning and the upper loop which takes the climb from the Col de la Bonette to the Cime de la Bonette should be one of the most amazing roads we look at. The perfect arena for an all time battle between Pogačar and Vingegaard, should they want to start the show early.
Politt is doing a great job and showing just why UAE slowed down on the Col de Vars, because with him there, Sivakov and Soler can recover in this small section of valley road, before lighting it up again on the Bonette.
80km to go
Pogačar has got his last few bottles and gels in preparation for the key climb. Sivakov is back on the front and into his work. with Vingegaard and a restored Visma team taking up second spot in the bunch. Van Aer is back, Tratnik is back and it's time for them to throw caution to the wind to try and win the Tour de France.
Visma are continuing to work in the breakaway with Kelderman taking them onto the lower slopes of the Bonette.
Pogačar and Vingegaard ready to battle it out on the Bonette.
UAE are pacing on the front of the peloton with three riders - Sivakov, Soler and Politt all sat in a line and pulling through.
75km to go
Prodhomme and Van Wilder are similarly crumbling under the pressue of Jorgenson. Only six left in front now - Jorgenson, Kelderman, Carapaz, Yates, Hindley and Rodriguez.
Politt has pulled the gap back down to 3:58 on the lower slopes alongside Sivakov and Soler. UAE clearly looking like they are very confident in their leader Pogačar, and why wouldn't they be?
15km left to climb on the Cime de la Bonette and the most difficult roads - where gradients average over 10% in some kilometres - are still to come.
70km to go
Vingegaard has lost a teammate in the peloton with Lemmen going out the back. He's surrounded by UAE riders, with only Tratnik by his side for the moment.
Scratch that last post, Tratnik is gone now too. Gertain Thomas also dropped for Ineos after getting back in earlier.
This must be Politt's final pull on the front and it's a tremendous job being done. Vingegaard is about to be completely isolated in the group of favourites with Benoot now also struggling.
Felix Gall dropped, David Gaudu dropped! This climb is destroying a lot of top quality riders and it is still the pace of Nils Polittt doing it. What a job by the big German rouleur.
10km to the crest of Cime de la Bonette
Finally, Nils Politt's increible work is done. Superb riding for his leader and its Sivakov who takes over. The German will now just ride slowly into the finish and take a well-earned rest at the line some hours laters.
Some stunning views on today's stage. Here's the six breakaway riders.
After making up good time in the break yesterday to break into the top 15 on GC, Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) has dropped. Only around 18 remain in the UAE-led peloton.
63km to go
Sivakov is still pushing on over the worsening slopes of the climb. UAE have five in the group, with Sivakov, Soler, Yates and Almeida all there to support the race leader Pogačar. Truly the strongest climbing team seen at the Tour for years, maybe ever, even after losing Juan Ayuso.
Great crowds nearing the top of the Cime de la Bonette as the absolute circus of the fans, caravan and peloton at the Tour is welcomed to a mountain that likely doesn't see much noise for much of the year at all.
60km to go
1500 metres to the summit for the six men in the lead. Carapaz will surely come through shortly to take the huge haul of 40 KOM points available at the summit.
The break is showing just how grim the final kilometre of the Bonette is - average gradients of around 12% all the way up to the top. If an attack is going to come from the peloton, this will be where to launch it.
Carapaz pulls off and hits the front in pursuit of the KOM points available at the crest - job done and the highest point of the Tour de France has been passed.
55km to go
Absolute moonscapes at the summit of the Bonette. truly a stunning climb at 2802 metres altitude no less.
The break and peloton are no onto the rapid descent. Carpaz leads the six in front, while UAE are now getting nearing the summit behind with total control.
Carapaz's effort in the break have moved him into the lead of the KOM classification ahead of Pogačar, now leading him by 20 on 97 points.
50km to go
Jorgenson again showing off his descending skills as he leads the breakaway down the Cime de la Bonette. The gap has grown slightly out to 3:53 as UAE try to navigate the downhill run safely.
Situation at 40km to go
It's going to downhill roads from now almost right until the foot of Isola 2000 and the final deciding climb on stage 19, which arrives 16.1km from the finish line.
30km to go
A look back at the stunning open roads at the top of the Cime de la Bonette.
Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) - to the joy of France TV - has made contact with the back of favourites after working very hard on the descent to rejoin the group.
Bike change for Egan Bernal, he'll want to get back in quickly so he can offer Ineos leader Carlos Rodríguez a turn on the final climb.
Former Tour winner Bernal is back in after that mechanical. All eyes are on the final climb as the favourites group remains calm.
Jorgenson is asking for those in the break with him and Kelderman to work. They likely have different objectives but cooperation and a bigger gap can only help them all.
20km to go
Reports are that it is raining at the finish line up in the ski resort.
Here's the profile of the brute that awaits. Isola 2000. Pogačar like many of the Tour peloton has trained and lived around here for altitude camp but now they are about to race up it and it couldn't start any harder with constant slopes above 10%.
Start of final climb
Christián Rodriguez is the first to drop out of the breakaway for Arkéa, leaving just five in front now - Hindley, Jorgenson, Kelderman, Carapaz and Yates.
UAE Team Emirates lead the peloton onto the foot of the climb and it's all in for the stage win. Pogačar has moved up and it's the turn of Marc Soler to now shred the 3:50-deficit and allow his leader to show his superiority again.
Soler is done and it's already Adam Yates time on the front of the peloton. All in for Pogačar now with the gap down to 3:43 in a flash.
14km to go
Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) is the next break rider to drop away as Kelderman continues to smash the front group. Yates, Jorgenson and Carapaz still on board.
Attack
Carapaz is working hard and launches away to try and reel in the Visma man. Kelderman isn't completely done as he marks the move alongside Yates.
De Plus and Bernal have both dropped, leaving Rodríguez isolated now for Ineos in the GC group which is still led by Adam Yates who is chasing down his brother's breakaway group.
Jorgenson has 15 seconds on the chasers and looks good in his rhythm, however, the UAE-led group of favourites is closing in now at a 3:17 gap.
The GC group is exploding behind as Ciccone, Mas and Rodríguez are all already dropped. Derek Gee continues to do a tremendous job on his debut at the Tour and he's set to move up on GC if he can stay in this group of favourites for a while.
Whatever happens today, it's been a super job from Jorgenson and Kelderman to try and win the stage without much doing in their GC plans. The American has extended his lead out to 25 seconds from the chasers, with Pogačar and co 3:14 down the mountain.
10km to go
Kelderman has finally been dropped by Carapaz who has attacked again to try and make the junction. Yates is off the Olympic Champion's wheel but his rhythm looks good in the chase.
9km to go
Attack
8.7km to go was the mark and he's flown away has Pogačar. Vingegaard is looking at Evenepoel now and probably defending second, realising he cannot go with the superior Slovenian who is riding away to extend his lead.
Now the question is - can he catch Jorgenson and break his heart? There's a 2:18 gap between them on the road but that is quickly melting away.
Yates and Carapaz are fading and it's now only Pogačar who can stop Jorgenson from achieveing a dream maiden win at the Tour de France.
7km to go
Pogačar is passing riders from the break and making them look as though they aren't moving. Hindley and Kelderman both swallowed up already.
Landa is back and pacing for Evenepoel behind on the climb, with Vingegaard and Almeida for company.
Gap down to 1:30 for Pogačar with Carapaz now fading and only Yates putting in a real chase to try and catch Jorgenson.
5km to go
Pogačar is now within a minute from Jorgenson as he extends his lead to Vingegaard and Evenepoel behind.
Evenepoel attacks Vingegaard as he looks to crack him and leapfrog him for second overall. The Dane responds well and Evenepoel continues on.
3km to go
Gap down to 20 second from Pogačar to Jorgenson and it really is quite remarkable how much faster the yellow jersey is going than those in front who, despite being in the break all day, are top class riders.
He didn't lie when he said pre-Tour that this is the best he's ever been and he isn't stopping. Yates caught, dropped and now only one man remains in the way of Pogačar's 15th Tour de France stage win
2km to go
It's been a great ride in the break from Jorgenson but the dream is over and Pogačar kicks out of the saddle to ensure there is no chance for him to respond. Incredible strength and an knockout blow at the 2024 Tour de France.
Now we wait to see just how big the lead will be at the line. It's going to be more than five minutes that is for sure. 1500 metres remaining.
Evenepoel and Vingegaard are still together but nowhere near Pogačar, 1:33 down the mountain.
1km to go
It's going to be an 81st career win and the 10th Grand Tour stage win of the season, not his career - just the 2024 season. Truly incredible from Tadej Pogačar.
Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) wins stage 19 of the Tour de France and extends his lead!
He gave a huge bow over the line when he won the stage with a double ascent of Monte Grappa in the Giro d'Italia and he mirrored the celebration at the top of Isola 2000 after repeating the stunning feat on the queen stage of the Tour de France. A performance of a generation from the best rider cycling has seen since its greatest Eddy Merckx in the 70s.
An emotional Vingegaard is welcomed by his wife and teammate Jorgenson, who console him at the line - the American uttering the words "You gave everything, that's all that matters". He may have been beaten by Pogačar but it's quite stunning to think of where he was in April - on a stretcher and fearing for his life in hospital, to holding second at the Tour de France on his return to racing. Chapeau Jonas.
The winning moment from a true showman. History at the Tour de France from Tadej Pogačar.
Here's how Pogačar's teammates took in their leader making more history at the Tour de France:
Stage 19 top 10
It's a fabulous four for Pogačar after crossing the line, adding to his win in Valloire in stage 4 and duo of Pyrenean successes last weekend.
Here's what the stage winner Pogačar had to say after another stunning victory on the Tour de France:
It wasn't quite to be for Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) who again comes close but misses out on a Tour de France stage victory. It will come at some point, with only a top-form Tadej Pogačar able to deny him.
Here's how Visma-Lease a BIke DS Grischa Niermann detailed Vingegaard's performance after not being able to follow Pogačar and falling to seemingly insurmountable gap of 5:03:
Vingegaard is consoled by wife Trine at the finish after a brutally tough and emotional day on the Tour de France.
GC standings after stage 19
Mark Cavendish's quest to finish his final Tour de France is going well after crossing the finish line alongside two Astana Qazaqstan teammates some five minutes inside the time limit. The same cannot be said for Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), who rode valiantly all day on his own right in front of the broom wagon but he finished outside the time limit so will play no further part on the stage tomorrow or on Sunday.
Moments after the gap was made by Pogačar from Evenepoel and Vingegaard on Isola 2000.
Make sure you read Stephen Farrand's full race report from a historic day at the Tour de France and check out our growing gallery of the day's racing:
Another great day in the breakaway saw Richard Carapaz (UAE Team Emirates) move into the lead of the King of the Mountains classification and polka-dot jersey. A stage win and jersey win would be huge for EF so he'll be hoping to get into tomorrow's breakaway and score more points up the four categorised climbs to stay ahead of Pogačar.
With Pogačar stating post-race that UAE won't pace for the stage win, it looks like we could get a stunning breakaway day tomorrow on stage 20, starting in Nice and finishing up the Col de la Couillole (15.7km at 7.1%).
Another trip to the podium for Tadej Pogačar at the 2024 Tour de France. Tomorrow's stage 20 will be the 17th day he had in yellow at the Tour, adding to the 19 days he wore pink at the Giro in May. It's not only set to be the first Giro-Tour double since Pantani in 98' but perhaps the most dominant ever...
Vingegaard accepts defeat on stage 19 with Pogačar now unreachable. From not knowing whether he was going to start the Tour due to his injuries from Itzulia Basque Country, to giving a great fight throughout, it's been a much better Tour thanks to the two-time winner's participation. He'll most certainly be back to try and regain his crown in 2025 and hopefully, without a disrupted preparation.
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