The Slovenian wins in the final sprint and bursts into tears in memory of Gino Mader. Third O’Connor. Tomorrow the penultimate stage
Matej Mohoric won stage number 19 of the Tour de France 110, 173km from Moirans en Montagne to Poligny. A stage flown at over 49 km/h on average, once again testifying to the fact that there is a great battle every day. It had to be a favorable day for the fugitives, and so it was: at the finish line, in a narrow sprint, the 28-year-old Slovenian of Bahrain-Victorious got the better of Kasper Asgreen, the Dane of Soudal-Quick Step, who had won stage 18 just 24 hours earlier, in a photo finish. Ben O’Connor, the slowest of the trio that fought for the victory (while Bettiol and Trentin arrived among the others about thirty seconds behind), finished third. And Mohoric burst into tears, certainly dedicating the success to Gino Mader, his teammate who died last month in the Tour of Switzerland. For Mohoric, king of Sanremo 2022, this is success number 19 in his career: his tactics in the sprint were masterful and he mocked Asgreen with his kidney shot. We remind you that the guest of honor of today’s stage was Eddy Merckx, the most successful in history, on Belgium’s national day.
the situation
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Jonas Vingegaard is always in the yellow jersey. The 26-year-old Dane from Jumbo-Visma has a 7’35” lead over Tadej Pogacar and 10’45” over Adam Yates. Fourth Carlos Rodriguez at 12’01”, fifth Simon Yates at 12’19”, sixth Pello Bilbao at 12’50”, seventh Hindley at 13’50”, eighth Gall at 16’11”, ninth Kuss at 16’49”, tenth Gaudu at 17’57”.
the program
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Saturday continues with stage 20, Belfort-Le Markstein/Fellering, 133.5 km with 6 mountain grands prix along the way. In detail: after 24 km, Ballon d’Alsace, second category, 11.5 km at 5.2%; after 56.5km, Col de la Croix des Moinats, second category, 5.2km at 7%; after 64.9km, Col de Grosse Pierre, second category, 3.2km at 8%; after 79.4km, Col de la Schlucht, 4.3km at 5.4%, third category; after 108.2km Petit Ballon, first category, 9.3km at 8.1%; after 125.3km Col du Platzerwasel, 7.1km at 8.4%.