Stage 19: Tour de France Summary

Stage 19 of the Tour de France was shortened to a three mountain 93.3 kilometer stage because race organizers feared the spread of a contagious cow disease. The shorter stage 19 contained a furious breakaway by Primoz Roglic, who was trying to secure a podium finish in Paris. Nevertheless, he was caught near the base of the final stage 19 mountain, La Plangna. Not much happened on the first two climbs of stage 19, which was shaping up to be a crowning achievement for Tadej Pogacar. How many Tours de France do you think Pogacar will win?

Stage 19 Summary

In Stage 19, the big story, apart from the crowing of the overall race leader, Pogacar, was the sick cows that shortened the stage. The farmers of the region were concerned that the highly contagious nodular dermatitis would spread if the Tour came through the region. That region was cut out of the race. The shorter stage was very exciting and was a crowning achievement for overall race leader Pogacar.

There were some other important stories on stage 19. First, it was raining on the last climb of the day. The rain made ascending the final climb of the tour dangerous. Second, Oscar Onley and Florian Lipowitz stayed close to each other (though Lipowitz dropped only a little on the final climb). This meant that the standings for the white jersey and the third spot on the podium in Paris were going to be close. Third, on the final climb, Thymen Arensman, who was in 13th place overall, attacked on the final climb. He is already a stage winner, winning on Superbanger.

The winner of the shortened stage 19 was Arenesman, who collapsed after his win. This was his second stage victory of the Tour. Jonas Vingegaard finished second. He got a small time bonus, but it was too little too late. Pogacar finished third, the only time in the Tour he was out-sprinted by Vingegaard. Lipowitz was fourth and dropped Onley on the final climb of the day. Onley struggled to fifth. It was disappointing that he finished fifth, given his day-long sprint ahead.  

In the overall classification following stage 19, there were again some changes in the relative time differences, but the order did not change. Pogacar stayed in first, Vingegaard was in second place, now 4:24 back. Lipowitz stayed in third, and he showed great strength in dropping Onley on the final climb, 11:09 back. Onley stayed in fourth place, 12:121 back. Felix Gall was now in fifth place; he rose one spot, but is 17:12 back.  

The Hazard Of the Mountains

It rained today on the final climb of the tour. The rain is cooling, but it is mostly hazardous. First, when riders are ascending mountains in the rain, the road is slippery and difficult to ride on. This is especially the case when it just starts raining, and the grease and oil from the road rise to the top.

Second, there is road spray, unless you ride in front. Third, relatedly, if it rains, the water accumulates on the glasses, or vizor, of the riders if they are wearing them. Finally, descending a mountain in the rain is even more treacherous than doing so when it is dry. Riders descend at breakneck speeds, and any slickness or hindrance of any kind is a further hazard.

Conclusion

After stage 19, Arenesman said he was destroyed. He did fall after his stage victory, his second of the Tour. He was amazed by his narrow victory over Vindagaard and Pogacar, whom he called aliens. He views tomorrow as another opportunity. He is on team Inios, which has the largest budget in the sport.

After this shorter stage 19, there are few chances for Vingegaard to attack Pogacar. That said, there is still a chance that there will be further changes in the third-place podium spot. Stage 20 tomorrow, from Nantua to Pontarlier, is hilly. It could lead to some shake-ups in third spot in the overall classification. Stage 21, to Paris, on Sunday, is the final stage and has been largely ceremonial. There may be some competition on this stage, but the time gaps between first and second place overall are too large to result in big changes.