Stage 19: Tour de France Summary Big News

Stage 19 of the Tour de France was supposed to be a 5-climb, 130-kilometer test. It has been shortened to a 3-climb 95-kilometer stage. Stage 19 was shortened due to the discovery of a contagious disease among cattle. The changes to stage 19 likely favor race leader Tadej Pogacar and his team, UAE, as there is less time and distance for rival Jonas Vingegaard and Team Visma to attack him. There is also an interesting battle for third place overall between the youngster Oscar Onley, Florian Lipowitz, and veteran and crowd favorite Primož Roglič. Who do you think the shortened stage 19 favors?

Stage 19 Shortened

In Stage 19, the biggest story, by far, is that Stage 19 has been shortened due to a contagious cattle disease. The farmers have had to put down 50 cattle so far and may have to euthanize another two hundred. The farmers were in tears, fearing that the Tour coming to the area with the sick cows would spread the disease.

The shorter stage may be more interesting. It does not favor Team Visma, Vingegaard said. Before stage 19, he prefers a longer stage with more climbing, but said, “It is what it is.” He also said he plans to attack right up to Paris, and he was wearing the polka dot jersey. There are two stages after today. There is a high likelihood of multiple attacks on this shorter stage, but now there probably will not be a breakaway today.

With the shorter stage, there is a chance there will be a shake-up in the general classification. There is not much of a chance of a shake-up in the top two. Pogacar has been too strong for Vingegaard, but there could be a change in the third-place position. There is a battle shaping up for the last place on the podium. There is also a sprint in the new place, right after the start of the race. It will be interesting to see if Pogacar goes for the sprint win because he still has a mathematical chance to win that jersey. That would mean he has three jerseys, the first since Eddie Mercyx.

Nodular Dermatitis

In a statement ahead of the Albertville-La Plagne stage, the Tour said: “The discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals. In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville-La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the Col des Saisies.

“The ceremonial start will take place as planned at the exit of Albertville. After a 7km parade, riders will head towards the D925, where the official start will be given. The race will then rejoin the original route shortly before Beaufort (at km 52.4 on the original schedule). Due to this change, which notably bypasses the Col des Saisies, the stage will now cover a total distance of 95km instead of the originally planned 129.9km.”

Conclusion

Even with the altered route, stage 19 still begins in Albertville. The 1992 Winter Olympics were held in Albertville. It remains to be seen what changes, if any, there will be in the overall classification of the Tour.