Bernal in Yellow Jersey as hail stops 19th stage in Tour de France
Jul 26 2019 10:58 pm CET
Photo of Egan Bernal by Team INEOS
Team Ineos' Egan Bernal has taken the Yellow Jersey at the 19th stage of the Tour de France. Extreme weather protocol was put in motion and the crest of the Isoard was taken as the finish line of the stage.
The second stage in the Alps took the riders from Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne and Tignes over a route that included one hors-category climb and a mountain finish on the first category ascent of the Montee de Tignes. The first breakaway of the day was formed by Vincenzo Nibali, Jesus Herrada, Pello Bilbao and Dan Martin but some kilometres later they were caught and a new front group of 24 riders started its adventure.
Shortly after, Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) had to abandon the race due to pain in his left leg and he was heartbroken because at the moment he sat in the fifth position of the General Classification and had podium expectations. With 43 kilometres to go, Geraint Thomas (Ineos) made a change of rhythm in the yellow jersey group and moments later he was caught and overtaken by Steven Kruijswijk.
These changes of rhythm managed to leave Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) struggling behind. The new group was formed by Egan Bernal, Kruijswijk, Thomas and Emanuel Buchmann, but moments later, the Colombian of Ineos made a move and formed a front group with Nibali, Warren Barguil, Simon Yates and Rigoberto Uran.
Bernal was left alone moments before reaching the crest of the Iseran but was rejoined by Yates on the descent. Shortly after, the organisation of the race communicated that the stage was being neutralised due to severe hail conditions at the last climb and that the times were going to be taken at the top of the Iseran, giving Bernal the necessary advantage to climb to the top of the General Classification.
Race cars made sure to stop the riders and tell them about the particular situation.
Race report: Bernal in Yellow Jersey as hail stops 19th stage in Tour de France https://t.co/2acZTr7QlP#TDF2019
— CyclingPub (@CyclingPub) July 26, 2019
?A.S.O./Alex BROADWAY pic.twitter.com/HsjEH0TiXO
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