Christophe Laporte broke away from the peloton on the home stretch of the 19th stage of the Tour de France to end the French drought in the Grande Boucle thanks to his first stage victory.
Just two days before the race in Paris was to end, Laporte saved the honor of the French cyclists, who had still not tasted victory this year. Only twice in the history of the Grande Boucle, in 1926 and 1999, has the competition been deprived of French victory.
Laporte launched his attack after a trio of breakaway cyclists were caught with 1.5 kilometers to go in this stage counting 188.5 and concluding in Cahors, in southwestern France. With very little elevation, this stage seemed on paper ideal for sprinters, but Laporte made the most of the slight climb leading to the finish line.
The Jumbo-Visma team cyclist, the same as leader Jonas Vingegaard, finished in three hours, 52 minutes and four seconds (3:52:05). He was ahead of Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Alberto Dainese (DSM), who crossed the finish line first in a large peloton just one second behind the winner.
Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) was part of this peloton. He was given the 24th rank. His teammate Guillaume Boivin finished 24 seconds later, in 41st place, while Michael Woods was 83rd, 2:26 from the winner.
Antoine Duchesne (Groupama-FDJ), inserted himself between these two Canadians in 63rd place (+1:53).
It is the fifth stage victory this month for the powerful Dutch team which also counts on Wout van Aert. The versatile Belgian was out of contention for Friday’s stage win, paving the way for Laporte’s victory.
“I’m super happy, I can’t believe it. Wout said to me: ‘Today is for you,’ said Laporte. I was already satisfied with our superb teamwork, but to win a stage victory in the Tour de France is a dream come true. »
The stage did not result in a significant change in the overall standings, with Vingegaard still holding a 3:26 lead ahead of two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar, fifth on Friday. 2018 winner Geraint Thomas sits third, eight minutes behind.
The organizers had initially indicated that Pogacar had gained five seconds on Vingegaard after his fifth place acquired in the sprint, but they finally granted him the same time.
Houle has meanwhile climbed two places to now find himself in 22nd place. Woods is 34th, followed by Duchesne (63rd) and Boivin (120th).
Pogacar tried to save himself from the peloton in the final hour, but van Aert reacted quickly and didn’t let him get loose. Instead, it was Alexis Gougeard, Fred Wright and Jasper Stuyven who launched an attack with 32 km to go.
Van Aert brought the peloton back to clear the way for Laporte, while Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco), also took part in the chase, clearing the way for sprinter Dylan Groenewegen.
Once the breakaway was caught, Laporte accelerated and no longer looked back.
There is only one test left before the race reaches Paris: a 41 km time trial on Saturday. Vingegaard seems assured of winning a first Tour de France after the comfortable lead he has built up in the Alps and Pyrenees.