Cycling: Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) remains in the yellow jersey. The Frenchman was even able to extend his lead in today's time trial in Pau. He won the stage ahead of Geraint Thomas (Ineos) and Thomas De Gendt (Lotto – Soudal). The winding time trial was overshadowed by numerous falls.
The time trial claims too many fall victims
On the 100th anniversary of the yellow jersey, the Tour de France riders completed a 27,2-kilometer individual time trial in Pau. However, there was little to celebrate, as far too many professionals crashed. The spectacular battle against the clock was overshadowed by the serious crash of Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). The Belgian time trial champion and already a stage winner in this year's Tour de France, van Aert's (Jumbo-Visma) crashed into the barriers in a tight right-hand bend 1.200 meters from the finish line. The cyclocross specialist was on pace for a best time. He suffered deep lacerations to his right thigh, forcing him to abandon the Tour de France. Among those who also crashed on this excessively twisty course were Swiss rider Stefan Küng (Groupama-FDJ) and German Maximilian Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe).
🇫🇷#TDF2019
.@WoutvanAert unfortunately has to abandon the race after his crash. He is conscious and has a flesh wound on his right upper leg.— Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) July 19, 2019
Thomas De Gendt surprises in the time trial
Dane Kasper Asgreen (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) held the hot seat for a considerable time. It was only Thomas De Gendt (Lotto – Soudal) who, somewhat surprisingly, managed to overtake him. The Belgian – not exactly known as a strong time trialist – clearly had high hopes for today's undulating course. He stayed in front because even established time trialists couldn't beat him. Rigoberto Uran (EF Education First) and later Thibaut Pinot (Groupama – FDJ) narrowly missed out. However, both the Colombian and the Frenchman put in very strong performances overall, allowing them to maintain their ambitions for the general classification.
Alaphilippe & Thomas Stark
Thomas De Gendt ultimately finished in third place. The Belgian was overtaken by the last two starters. First, Geraint Thomas (Ineos) set a new fastest time as expected, before Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) went even faster. This somewhat surprisingly extended the yellow jersey wearer's lead, giving him another 14 seconds to take from last year's winner, who will have to attack on the Tourmalet tomorrow. German rider Emanuel Buchmann (Bora – hansgrohe) also had a good race. Although he finished 15th, 1:19 behind the stage winner, he managed to gain significant time on several competitors.