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Stage 19 Review

By Phil Liggett
It was a perfect course for a breakaway on stage 19 of the Tour de France between Bourgoin-Jaillieu and Aubenas in the Ardeche, but in the end it turned out to be one for the sprinters
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MMR Stage 19

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About Stage 19: Bourgoin-Jallieu > Aubenas

BOURGOIN-JALLIEU
The only other time a stage started in Bourgoin-Jallieu was in 1962, with a time-trial in the direction of Lyon. Two days before the finish in Paris, Jacques Anquetil, whose superiority was no longer in doubt, widened his lead to more than five minutes over Poulidor and more than six minutes over Joseph Planckaert, overtaking him in the general classification. His brilliant performance earned him a third Tour de France win.

AUBENAS
The only time the Tour ever stopped in Aubenas was in 1962, when the stage started in Montpellier and Dutchman Johan De Roo won the third stage of his career. The town is also a stage in the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré. Nicolas Portal was the last winner, in 2004.

Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas, 195km

By Frankie Andreu
After the start of Stage 19 the Tour turns in the opposite direction of what is traditional for the race. It’s all for one specific reason, to bring the riders towards Mont Ventoux. With only two days remaining the riders are used to heading north towards Paris but this flat stage will take them south to the town of Aubenas.
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City Facts
BOURGOIN-JALLIEU
• 1-time stage-town
• Population 24,000
• Country town of Isère canton (38)
AUBENAS
• 1-time stage-town
• Population 13,000
• County town of Ardèche canton (07)
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Every Second Counts

By Bob Roll
The stage to Aubenas, one of the hardest in this year’s Tour de France. A big break away established itself early on up the road, with 20 riders. It was very unmanageable; however no leaders
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Map My Ride Challenge

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Newsflashes - Stage 19

16:49:23 - Armstrong Gains Time On Wiggins

Of the riders in the top 10 overall, only Armstrong (AST) has finished with the same time as Cavendish. After the first 12 riders crossed the line, there was a split and Wiggins, Andy Schleck and others have lost four seconds to the Texan. Contador finished 24th, four seconds behind Armstrong's group.

16:45:55 - The Top Five In Stage 19

The 19th stage was raced at a furious pace. It was a sprint all the way to Aubenas with an average speed in excess of 46km/h. And in the end, the sprint specialists got to fight it out for stage honors. The top five is:

1. Mark Cavendish (GBR) THR - 178km in 3h50'35" (46.317km/h)

2. Thor Hushovd (NOR) CTT

3. Gerald Ciolek (GER) MRM

4. Greg van Avermaet (BEL) SIL

5. Oscar Freire (ESP) RAB

16:44:42 - A Fifth For Cavendish!

Cavendish has claimed his fifth stage this year. He was forced to sprint from a long way out but he held off all the other sprint specialists to take a fine victory on the eve of the Ventoux stage.

16:43:52 - 'Flamme Rouge'... Columbia In Control

There are two riders from Columbia at the front of the peloton with less than 1km to go. Hushovd is right on the wheel of Cavendish who has Martin ahead of him...

16:43:06 - Escape Over

Ballan has surged again just as the peloton has caught Lefevre. But with one turn to go it looks like we could see a fifth victory for Cavendish... at least if the Columbia team has its way.

16:42:24 - Sprinters Lining It Up...

The Columbia team is now in charge of the peloton. The escape bid by Ballan and Lefevre appears to be doomed with less than 2km to go.

16:41:06 - Ballan and Lefevre Holding On...!

The peloton is now being led by the Columbia team. There is less than 3km to go in the stage and it looks like the sprinters are going to have their way... there is just 100m between Ballan and Lefevre and the peloton.

16:40:21 - 4km To Go

With 4km to go, the peloton is 10" behind. There is a Milram rider the front followed by four Columbia riders, followed by Hushovd.

16:39:38 - 5km to Go

Ballan and Lefevre are being reeled in by a peloton of about 40 riders. The latest time check has the leading pair 8" ahead.

16:38:34 - Peloton Closing In

The bunch is now 10" behind Lefevre and Ballan. Milram and Columbia are in control of the pace setting but now we can see Freire (RAB) moving up near the business end of the bunch...