Stage 19: Albertville → La Plagne (93.1 km)

Top 10 Results

From the Independent listing:

Ben O’Connor, winner of Stage 18, rounded out the top 10 at + 34:34 from the GC leaders

 Stage Analysis

 Race Dynamics

• Thymen Arensman launched a well-timed solo attack on the final climb to La Plagne, breaking clear with under 13 km remaining and holding on by just two seconds against Vingegaard and Pogacar 

• Vingegaard and Pogacar marked each other and crossed together for second and third; Pogacar preserved the yellow jersey by managing time gaps rather than chasing stage honours 

GC Impact

• Pogacar maintains a commanding 4′24″ lead over Vingegaard heading into the final two stages 

• Florian Lipowitz stays third in GC, safely ahead of Oscar Onley, who sits fourth and trails Lipowitz by 22 seconds in the white jersey standings 

• Primož Roglič dropped from 5th to 8th overall after an early attack backfired, costing over 12 minutes on the day 

Key Takeaways

• Arensman now has two stage wins in this Tour, proving his prowess on summit finishes outside the GC battle

• Pogacar’s control intact: he chose to ride defensively, allowing stage glory to slip past while prioritizing overall victory 

• Vingegaard showed aggression but it wasn’t enough to dent Pogacar’s margin; Onley and Lipowitz provide layers of intrigue in the battle for final podium placement 

Stage 20 Preview: Nantua → Pontarlier (184.2 km, Hilly, ~2 900 m climbing)

What to Expect

• A rolling stage with multiple medium climbs, favoring breakaway specialists or punchy attackers.

• GC contenders will ride defensively; Pogacar is essentially safe, so his UAE team can control any aggressive move from GC rivals.

• With the general classification largely settled, teams like Lidl‑Trek or Picnic may animate the stage for opportunistic wins or intermediate sprints.

• Florian Lipowitz vs Oscar Onley: Onley may attempt moves to close his gap in white/GC classification; Lipowitz’s team will be vigilant.

• Time bonuses may tempt a marginal bid from Lipowitz or Onley, though Pogacar’s lead is too large to overturn.

Tactical Notes

• Expect a reduced peloton sprint, or more realistically a small group finish with strong puncheurs pushing for the line.

• Stage-winning leap of faith for riders out of GC — this is their final opportunity for glory before Paris.

Final Thoughts

• Stage 19 turned into an epic moment: Arensman seized victory, Pogacar strengthened his grip on overall, and Lipowitz vs Onley remained tight for the minor podium places.

• Stage 20 is likely quieter on GC, but full of potential for attacking riders looking to steal a late victory.

• With only Sunday’s finish on Champs-Élysées remaining after that, Pogacar looks poised for his fourth Tour triumph, barring any unprecedented drama.