Preview: Tour de France 2019 – Stage 18 (Embrun – Valloire)

Stage 18
25.07.2019.
Embrun – Valloire
(208 km)

The first of the three hard days in the Alps. The programof the 18th stage contains 4 climbs, two of them are HC categories: the legendary Izoard and Galibier.

Col d’ Isoard: 

Col du Galibier: 

Due to the length of the stage and the fact, that after the top of the Galibier there are still 19 km to go, the day is rather for breakaway riders. After his failure on the Tourmalet-stage, Romain Bardet (AG2R) has a new purpose: the KOM-jersey. He has already collected some points on Sunday and will continue it today. Vincezo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) wants to win at least a stage at this Tour de France, this one is an another chance for him. Warren Barguil (Arkea-Samsic), the French national champion is in good form too. And wouldn’t be a big surprise, if one of the EF riders would earn a victory today, bur rather Michael Woods, than Rigoberto Uran.

When it comes to the battle for the GC, the biggest question is, could Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick Step) keep the yellow? He will arrive at the foot of the Galibier most likely without any helper (Enric Mas doesn’t seem to be in good shape). If he is able to keep up with the GC-bunch, he can preserve his position for one day more. He will lose the jersey probably on Friday.

I don’t think it’s a day for Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) due to the long descent at the end of the stage. Neither Geraint Thomas or Egan Bernal. In the GC-competition it could be more a day for Steven Kruisjwijk and his Jumbo-Visma team. They’re going to set the pace on the last climb trying to drop as more rivals as possible and Kruijswijk  has only to finish the teamwork.

At last but not at least, the Movistar team is still able to play the role of the game changer either by setting the pace in the main bunch before the Galibier, or with a powerful breakaway of 3 or 4 of their men.

A bit more about what to expect on the next three days, I posted a long-long article (2 part in the comments) on my Instagram account:

 

A bejegyzés megtekintése az Instagramon

 

(Another post rather for my not-really-a-cycling-enthusiastic followers, who still get the hype for this particulare race) Tour de France 2019 is said to be the best since many many years (I’ve even read an analysis about it could be one of the best EVER). What’s happening? Why is this race so extraordinary? Two components are determinating the race: 1. an unusual race leader basically Julian Alaphilippe isn’t a Grand Tour (3-weeks-race) rider. He is one of the best one day racer, he has also won some one week races, but never before was in the position to fight for the 1st place in the general classification (GC) at a Grant Tour and doesn’t really have a team for it. (Deceuninck-Quick Step is a strong squad dominating the one day races mostly, but they are not enough strong for this race), but anyway,  Alaphilippe is a great fighter 2. attack- and risk-friendly riders in the peloton in  contrary to the TDF-editions a decade before, we can hope for an eventful race literally every day, there are plenty of great fighters in the peloton (= the whole bunch of the riders), who don’t affraid of taking risks, and there are 3-4 teams with the ability to controll the race which makes it bit more unpredictable So, what to watch, how to watch the final 3 day (actually there is a stage on Sunday too, but it’s about celebration) in the Alps? First of all the big question is, how long can Alaphilippe keep the yellow jersey (the 1st place in the GC). It’s like an ancient tragedy, because he is ment to be fall for many racional reasons, and  as longer he remains in the yellow, as bigger his fall will be. But he is a cyclist worth to cheering for. He can be separated from his helpers easily when the road start to rise really, but on the other hand he can keep up with the bunch of the other GC-contenders. I think when he arrives at the foot of the Galibier on the 18th stage without a single teammate, that 23 km long ascent will be a mentally crutial ride for him. But there is a chance he can keep the yellow jersey for an another day. I suppose, he will lost his first place on Friday. [ cont. ?] #tourdefrance #tdf #cycling #cyclingrace #bikerace #velo #bicicleta

Anita Pethő (@petho_anita) által megosztott bejegyzés,

 

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.