Summary

  • Stage 19: Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne - La Toussuire 138km

  • Quintana gains 32secs on Froome

  • Froome still leads by 2mins 38secs

  • Nibali wins stage, Quintana second, Froome third

Live Reporting

Chris Osborne

  1. Nibali wins stage 19

    Vincenzo Nibali celebratesAP

    Vincenzo Nibali grits his teeth, gets his head down. And there's a grin, and there's a fist in the air.

  2. 700m to go

    Oh Nibali - he almost overshoots a left-hand turn. He survives. The camera stays on him as he nears the finish.

  3. 1.1km to go

    Now Quintana's tongue is out, there's a slither of pain on his face. Nibali is safe - he is 1min 27secs ahead. Froome is now 23secs behind Quintana.

  4. 1.9km to go

    The crowds are building. It's about to get hectic at La Toussuire. Nairo Quintana looks very composed. Chris Froome is out of the saddle as we hit a small descent. Quintana is 16secs in front. 

  5. 2.7km to go

    Froome meanwhile is 40secs in front of the Contador group.

  6. 3.2km to go

    Quintana is 16 seconds ahead of Froome. That would put the GC gap below 3mins.

  7. Rob Hayles
    Former GB cyclist

    "The gap is opening up between Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana, but Froome is absorbing the pace better than the rest of his rivals.

    "Alejandro Valverde and Alberto Contador are going backwards quickly."

  8. 3.6km to go

    Nairo Quintana in actionReuters

    Quintana is just 1min 28secs behind Nibali. Can the Italian hold on?

    as far as the stage win goes, this could be perfectly timed by Quintana.

  9. 3.8km to go

    Quintana is pulling away from Froome who in turn is pulling away from Valverde and Contador. Froome may lose time. It will only be seconds, but it will be for the first time in such a long time.

  10. 4.3km to go

    Oh my word. Alberto Contador and Alejandro Valverde can't keep with Chris Froome who is hot on the heels of Nairo Quintana. There is a man with a Colombian flag running alongside the Movistar man.

  11. Quintana has a gap

    4.7km to go

    Nairo Quintana has pulled away. Not very far, but he's away. Chris Froome responds and just as he makes up ground the Colombian goes again.

  12. 5.2km

    Oh, I spoke too soon.

    Wout Poels has gone, he can't keep with the yellow jersey group anymore. Chris Froome will be up against his GC riders by himself for the final 5km.

    Nairo Quintana is off...

  13. 5.5km to go

    Anyone fancy making a move in the final 5km? Anyone? Pretty please?

  14. Chopper powered?

    A few of you have noticed the photo we used in our 16:04 entry and are having a bit of fun.

    You may notice the propellers attached to Chris Froome's helmet, which some of you have suggested might give him a competitive advantage. Big laughs all round.

    FroomeAP

  15. 6.8km to go

    Pierre Rolland has a look over his shoulder. He sees 11 riders bearing down on him. He takes a nonchalant swig of water, like he doesn't care. He does, I promise you.

  16. Fan wears hat with yellow bike during the 19th stageReuters

    Meanwhile, here is a picture of a man in a silly hat. Just because.

  17. 9km to go

    There has been much less drama on this final climb than in the previous three. Chris Froome will be delighted.

    Even if there was a move now, how much time can you chomp in to in 9km? Not enough, would be the answer.

    Alberto Contador needs to watch the gap to Vincenzo Nibali, who could jump him in the standings. The Italian has a lead of 2mins 23secs.

  19. 9.9km to go

    Rafal Majka is the man probing at the front of the yellow jersey group, hoisting the pace a tad. His Tinkoff-Saxo team-mate Alberto Contador will be there or thereabouts.

  20. Polka dot jersey

    Romain Bardet's efforts today have put him in control of the polka dots. The last climb to the finish might shake things up a bit more.

    KOMLe Tour