Right, that’s us – thanks all for your company and comments, sorry I couldn’t get to them all. Join us for more fun tomorrow!
Updated
Here’s your report of today’s fun and games, hopefully featuring much ice lolly thought and coastline outrage. Check back for our man’s thoughts in due course.
Wiggins says that Thomas is a winner, so won’t be happy with a podium finish - “What’s third place when you’ve won it?” Good question; I’m not qualified to answer, so I’ll believe him. He reckons Thomas will risk it all to retain his title, which should make the next two days absolutely brilliant.
Geraint Thomas says they wanted it to be hard but the pace wasn’t there, so they agreed Bernal would go. It doesn’t seem like him going too was a rogue move, and he says he felt pretty good today so wanted to see what others had. He did say beforehand that he didn’t think there’d be much movement today, which he flags, then notes that there are two hard days to come.
Wiggins can’t believe the chasers didn’t try and loz Alaphilippe sooner, and reckons the group lack confidence in their legs.
And overall:
💥🇫🇷 Así queda la general del #TdF2019 tras la 18ª etapa#TourEnCOPE pic.twitter.com/tvuo6fva1t
— COPEdaleando (@Copedaleando) July 25, 2019
Alaphilippe loses five seconds of lead, with Bernal overtaking Thomas to claim second place; as Ryan Giggs would say, he’d’ve took that. Pending a monumental collapse or attack, he’s going to win the race!
Updated
Today’s top finishers:
💥🇫🇷 Top 18 de la 18ª etapa del #TdF2019 #TourEnCOPE pic.twitter.com/Q0UtStNKjh
— COPEdaleando (@Copedaleando) July 25, 2019
And chill. That 20 minutes when Quintana attacked, Bernal attacked, Thomas attacked, Alaphilippe faded and Alaphilippe recovered, absolutely amazing gear. Tomorrow is going to be a boss.
Thomas just didn’t have it there when he needed it there. Unless he’s keeping something monumental to uncork tomorrow, that title isn’t getting retained.
Alaphilippe finishes, and loses maybe 30s to Bernal!
That’s a wondrous effort from him, and might just be enough to win him the thing! If tomorrow goes ok, that should be enough!
Updated
Here they come...
Bernal finishes, but what will he take out of the yellow jersey?
Bernal bousts his heart out as the rain comes down, looking to eke out every second that he can.
And behind him, Bardet eases home; he’s going to take the polka dot jersey, for the now at least.
Updated
Nairo Quintana wins stage 18 of the Tour!
That’s a phenomenal ride! He absolutely cleansed the field, and it’s great to see him back!
Updated
Anyway, here comes Quintana!
“It is strange how Thomas declared it would have been improper to attack when Bernal was up the road in the Pyrenees but apparently can do it now. Both Bernal and Thomas’s attacks might be for nought now. Bizarre move,” says @distolas, who also reports that Belgian telly agree: “‘If Thomas was a good teammate he wouldn’t have attacked out of that group with Bernal up the road. He’d also be on the front of the group in the descent slowing it where possible’. Ouch!”
Never underestimate the power of the panic station.
3.2km to go; can the yellow jersey group catch Alphilippe? He’s 33s ahead of them.
Alaphilippe has made a miraculous recovery, which makes Bernal’s break look all the better. He timed it perfectly, and Alaphilippe is now putting time into his rivals on the descent!
And here he comes! He catches the group, and France is dreaming of its first GC winner since Bernard Hinault in 1985! Might he even extend his lead today?
Pinot is up with Thomas as Alaphilippe fights back; the gap is 10 seconds, and if Alaphilippe can get out of this stage losing just that, he’ll start to dream of champagne on the Champs Elysees.
Quintana screeches down the descent, and it’s terrifying just to watch. The yellow jersey is 18s behind Thomas, who’s 24s behind bernal.
Pinot and pals catch Thomas, while Alaphilippe tries to fight back.
Alaphilippe loses the wheel! Pinot steps on it! This is steaming! Alaphilippe is going backwards and spectators try to shove him up the hill!
AND GERAINT THOMAS GOES! His team-mate is looking to tax his second place, and Thomas say “Not today!”
Bernal has 45 seconds on the yellow jersey group, and will move up to second if this continues. Thomas hasn’t responded, and he’s leaving himself a lot to do tomorrow if he doesn’t make a move.
Except, is Quintana even thinking about the stage, or is he planning another assault tomorrow to try and shake up the general classification? He looks so strong here.
Quintana is basically home! He’s at the top of the climb and now just needs to stay on his bike for 18.3km of descent and the stage is his!
A couple of lads with a Colombian flag run alongside Bernal, who is putting it in! What a day this could be for Locombia!
Updated
And what a pleasure it is to see Quintana back ... EXCUSE ME WHILE I INTERRUPT MYSELF! In the yellow jersey group, Bernal attacks! Can he race the legs off Alaphilippe?
20.1km to go! Quintana surely has this in the sac à main.
Updated
Are Ineos and Geraint Thomas just going to let this expire? Stephen Kelly notes that usually they win from the front and wonders whether they know how to do it from behind.
@DanielHarris Here in la Bar Ferreria in Sella we get the Tour mountain stages with added sunflowers. pic.twitter.com/O5TKPr3KrQ
— Gareth Thomas (@episcopivaganti) July 25, 2019
They note in commentary that Quintana looks way better than last week, and I’ve not a clue how that’s possible given the worsening activity in which he’s been perpetually engaged in that time. Rrrridiculous.
“Afternoon Daniel,” says Dennis Johns. “When Bardet won a stage a couple of years ago they used On A Ragga Tip for the closing credits and it is literally my favourite thing that has ever happened in the Tour. Felt like the leisure pursuits of my younger and older selves were finally unified.”
You need to go spinning, which is also like being in the klurrb but with intensified bad bits and without the good bits.
Alaphilippe is on Thomas’ wheel, as Soler is dropped. Quintana leads Bardet and Lutsenko by 51s!
The gap from yellow jersey to front is growing! Good news for Alaphilippe, and Ineos aren’t doing anything.
“I am currently lying by a lake in the Alps,” says Martin Brooks, “and have just had a Solero Bio - it’s a lemon affair with a soft centre, 57 calories and Vegan - it’s so frinking Guardian but pricey at 2.5 Euro - living the dream.”
I can’t believe I thought “Mmm, 57 calories. What have I become.
Quintana is really close! He’ll know that if he can maintain this, the stage is his! He’s timed this so well, and looks absolutely nails in the saddle.
Now Bardet attacks, Woods and Caruso dropped. Quintana leads by 32s, and the chasers have no option but to boust!
Quintana piles it on while the others decide what to do about him. 25.3km to go!
Quintana attacks! After riding with so much vigour, suddenly Lutsenko looks tired. Caruso is currently second, but the lead is increasing; he’s maybe 20s ahead.
Lutsenko is having it! He attacks again, because what else would you do when you’re absolutely finished towards the end of a month-long slog. Perfectly normal behaviour.
Here we go! The leading group start the Galibier, while Alaphilippe is midway in his minyan.
Adam Yates is in shtuck, and has been dropped. Caruso leads, Lutsenko there too, and Bardet; Quintana just behind. They’re warming up!
Updated
The yellow jersey group are closing on the front, 4.38 behind now. I’m guessing that’s because they’re speeding it up, as opposed to the front lads slowing it down.
Van Baarle goes to the front of the yellow jersey group and Castroviejo immediately drops. Can they do it for Geraint Thomas? Alaphilippe pulls faces, but the pace is ok for him for now
Alaphilippe is looking pretty ok you know. Is anyone going to take a piece out of him? 30.7km to go...
Updated
“I had no idea that you went to finishing school, posh boy?” emails John Lacey.
I’m close to sending this to my wife and various chat groups, so I can print their comments on my table manners and such.
“I’ve just recently been to Albania,” says Bobbinson Crusoe. “Check out the Valbone to Theth trek for mountains or the crystal clear waters of places like Dhermi for beaches. Surely Europes most underrated country? And most importantly, the beer is good and cheap! Durmitor National Park in Montenegro can also give most places a run for their money when it comes to beautiful mountain scenery.”
Totally. I’ve not been but investigated as part of not going to the European Super Cup when my lot played in it the summer before last
1000m of climb left for the breakaway, who lead the Swindon yellow jersey lot by roughly five and a half minutes.
It’s hotting up with 36.8km to go. Van Avermaet can’t deal, so departs the leading group, but in the yellow jersey sect, Alaphilippe is still like Betty Boo.
This is rapidly becoming the guardianest blog I’ve ever written, and I’m now thinking about codifying the entries to help with my holidays. “Our man in Huesca province writes,” says @ejhchess, “France is in a clear second place when it comes to the Pyrenees. (Or, given Andorra, possibly third).”
I’m going naewhere near cuisine patter.
My word, people are exercised. “You can leave France, come into Catalunya and very soon find superb beaches which even at this time of year you can have pretty much to yourself,” says Keith Glazzard. “Don’t tell anyone! Great cycling country too.”
A break! Woods, Van Avermaet, Pauwels, Lutsenko, Kämna, Chérel and Benoot have surged away, with Quintana and Bardet 20s off.
Right, up the Col du Galibier we go!
There are now 16 in the Bardet-Quintana-Caruso group; obviously Lutsenko is at it.
“I think the Costa Brava in Spain might have something to say about the Med,” reckons Alex Wright, “but I’ll give France the Atlantic coastline.”
I’m no expert, but I agree absolutely. I had two of the greatest weeks of my life in Lloret de Mar after finishing school. Room attacked by a nutter with a pool cue, mates randomly battered by local, er, independent vendors, randomly slapped by police - that holiday had everything.
“Technically the Alps include the Dolomites in Italy,” says Adam Baird, “which are probably the most spectacular mountains in the world.”
Er, I’ve been to Scafell Pike. And Box Hill.
Updated
“The best of the Med?” gasps Henry C. “Have you been to Spain? Best of the Atlantic? Cadiz, Chipiona, Barbate, Azahara de las Aceitunas etc......Never mind you stick to your clichés and I will enjoy the best beaches around.”
I asked because I don’t know. I know our society has muddled things, but that ought still be the point of a question.
With 50km to go, the yellow jersey group is 5.16 behind the leading lads.
Updated
“Ineos have 4 in the yellow jersey group, to DQS 2 - and one up the road to help out,” says Oliver Wilkes. “Surely, if they don’t ambush Alaphillipe on the Galibier, what’s the point in those expensive domestiques? I’m betting on 4km from the summit...”
I guess they might think tomorrow will work better, but if they have him here, is he going to have owt left then either?
I meant to note earlier, our commentary reckoned that France has the best of the Alps, the best of the Med and the best of the Atlantic coast. Are we having that?
Guillaume Martin escapes the slowing yellow jersey group, of which Ineos now has control. Can Geraint Thomas find something?
“I’ve always been a fan of Major Layzers ‘Bob Jungels is massive’, tweets Andy Hilton.
Ah, but was it “Bob Jungels is massive” or Bob Jungelist massive”?
It’s a bit shvach in the yellow jersey group at the moment; Alaphilippe will be loving it. Meanwhile, the lead break, six minutes ahead, comprises: “Bardet, Caruso, Quintana, Lutsenko, Woods et A.Yates, Pauwels, Bernard et Kämna.”
“Jumbo Visma,” says Andrew Hardy. “Anybody else hear this as ‘Jumbo Rizla’? Must be the heat.”
One of my dunderheaded mates used to think the great Riz Lateef was called Rizla Teeth. 20 years later, we’re still telling him about it.
Updated
“Surely he deserves a song worthy of higher praise?” tweets Marc S. “Dey Bardet...”
“Worthy of higher praise?” How dare you insult my 1992.
“I reckon Alaphillipe will be out the back of that group within 2km of the Galibier starting,” says Matthew Lysaght. “He’s been sat at the back for the last 3-4km and doesn’t look great, not ideal positioning.”
It’s hard to know; if i were him, I’d be doing as little as possible in the knowledge that an attack was en route.
“Questions about why Fruit Pastilles ice lollies are so topsy-turvey can be avoided if one does the sensible thing and has a Tangle Twister instead,” says Nick Honeywell. “Surely that’s the King of lollies.”
Depends what you’re after. Twisters are good, but guzzzleable in two minutes flat and not as refreshing. Points for texture, but. Gregggg Wallace ain’t got nowt on me.
“What ho,” begins Kirsty Glover. “Thomas de Gendt = the start of the theme tune to The Addams Family. Finger clicks compulsory!”
The yellow jersey group are 5.13 off the front, with 70.3km to go. Surely they’ll try binning Alaphilippe up the final climb?
Adam Yates is in the chasing group now; can he match his brother and win a stage?
“No Harm No Foul”, emails Keats London. “That’s how I would treat Rowe vs Martin’s squabble. They’re competitors for Pete’s sake. They are doing what they are supposed to do. Let them play. Is TDF becoming the PGA where TV and replays can influence the outcome of the game? I sincerely hope not!”
I agree, more or less.
Caruso wins the latest sprint, Bardet coming in second! They catch Bernard just before the line!
Updated
A question about the aforementioned: why is it the yellow which goes all the way through and the purple which you only get on the very top? Does pretend blackcurrant cost more?
Quintana, Dey Bardet and pals are closing on Bernard, whose lead is down to 40s with 75.4km to go.
There’s nothing for it: I need some effervescence, so am going to deploy my Fruit Pastilles lolly.
Updated
Van Avermaet is bushed and back in the pack as Bernard rips on. The yellow jersey group, meanwhile, are scooting along; how long can Alaphilippe hang with these lads?
“Not quite a song which makes me think of him,” says Boris Starling, “but a band title - Vladimir ‘Inspiral’ Karpets. Oh, and of course Singing In The Rain always makes me think of Singing Indurain.”
Bernard drops Van Avermaet! He’s properly laying into the top bit of the climb.
Updated
On the OBO the other day we were discussing sportsmen whose names make you sing them to a particular tune.
For example, Mahmudullah to this.
And I’m now finding dey, Bardet going round and round my head.
It’s looking like Alaphilippe and Thomas will have themselves to themselves, without team-mates to protect them. Lovely stuff.
“Cheating?” asks Henry C. “There is cheating and cheating. Depends on your point of view. I don’t remember when but one rider, when asked if he took illegal substances, sad ‘How do you think we survive the whole tour?’”
Updated
Apparently Landa announced that he was going to move. He looks relaxed ... I mean relax ... and Alaphilippe is ok too.
Updated
With the climb getting even more munting, Movistar are making a move! Soler and Landa are at the front of the chasing group!
Nibali has dropped off the back of the chasing group. So lazy.
At the top we’re getting towards an average of 10% gradient. Ain’t but a number, as I like to say.
Our co-comm tells us that Alaphilippe needs to go all-in today if he plans to win the thing, and if he does, he’ll pay tomorrow. Decisions, decisions.
A paltry 83.8km to go, and with 9km of Col d’Izoard left, Van Avermaet and Bernard are two minutes ahead of what’s become known as the Quintana group.
“Just catching up on the first part of the stage,” says Nick Venables, “and Quintana is in the break? Has his star fallen that far that the pelotón don’t even care that he’s up front? Arkea-Samsic’s manager must be wondering if his, I presume, huge contract is worth it.”
He’s at the head of the group chasing the front two. He’ll fancy himself to do something today, I shouldn’t wonder.
They’re now 1.25 ahead and into the climb. They look pretty chilled in the circumstances; and when did “chilled” become “chill”?
We’re at the bottom of the Col d’Izoard; Bernard and Van Avermaet lead by about 25s.
“I read somewhere that Henri Desgrange, who organized the very first Tour de France in 1903, envisioned a race so hard that only one rider would actually make it to Paris,” emails Scott Urista. “We may see something like that over the next three days...”
If I may quote myself, I once wrote about that Tour, as follows:
“If there’s one thing we know about our species, it’s that we will cheat at anything: ever since Adam ate from the tree of knowledge and feigned ignorance to an omniscient God, every field of human endeavour is punctuated by our dazzling capacity for mendacity. In art there is forgery, in marriage there is adultery, in computers there is hacking, in finance there is insider dealing, and in politics, well how long have you got?
So of course we cheat at sport; of course we have always cheated at sport. Consider the first Tour de France, for example, during which nine riders were disqualified - some of them for taking cars and trains. Of the 27 finishers, 15 more were pulled including the top four places and every stage winner. That was in 1904, and very little has changed.”
As it goes, the lads are looking ok, but could probably do with things being done.
Updated
“Parklife has a bit of a place in my heart thanks to it coming out in the mid-90s, when the white heat of Britpop and my mid-teens combined in something suitably hormonally influential,” says Neil Withers, “BUT hearing or even imagining Damon Albarn singing ‘...eating all the morsels’ from Tracy Jacks sets my teeth on edge like nothing else on earth.
Some cycling, just to keep us both honest: as much as I’m sure we all like Geraint Thomas, surely we’re all holding out for either Alaphilippe or Pinot to win this year? They’ve both been awesome, Pinot v unlucky with that echelon split – plus France would go toutes bananes, non?”
That’s actually End of a Century, which is one of the better ones I’d say. It’d be right up there if either of them pulled it off; whoever does will deserve it.
Hi again, Vitamin D duly imbibed and here we go.
There’s just under 95km to go, and the gap between the leaders and the rest has stayed roughly the same. Arndt’s ill-fated push for a solo break has come to nothing, but Greg Van Avermaet is now having a go as the Col d’Izoard draws ever closer. And with that, I’ll hand you back to Daniel ...
Updated
The leading group are back on flat ground after the descent, with Sunweb’s Nikias Arndt eking out a 20-second lead. There’s a 7m 30sec gap between the leading pack and the peloton. Here’s a bit of lunchtime viewing:
Eesh, a nasty crash towards the back of the peloton, with Nicholas Roche and Jumbo-Visma’s George Bennett – a key lieutenant for Steven Kruijswijk – coming off particularly badly.
Thanks Daniel. The leading group have crested the Col de Vars, with Wellens taking the 10 King of the Mountains points ahead of Romain Bardet. Lutsenko was third, Quintana fourth. The peloton are about to reach the peak, with a long and winding descent to come.
Right, I’m off for a spot of lunch; Niall McVeigh takes over as your domestique for the next bit.
“Modern Life is Rubbish was a far superior beast to Parklife,” reckons Matthew Lysaght, “which isn’t difficult in fairness. Only saw them once, in 2003 in The Olympia in Dublin, when Coxon had been replaced by Simon Tong.
Pinot to do the business today on Alaphillipe. Quintana for the stage.”
I saw them twice: once at the first V, and once when they reformed. I suppose they may have been better at various other times, but Damon isn’t a good frontman and the tunes don’t translate – aren’t elevated – outside of the studio and lounge environment.
The group catch Cherel, who wasn’t into it at all.
“What do you think of yesterday’s expulsions?” asks Thomas Atkins. “Wouldn’t blame you if you chose to ignore the whole affair in order to avoid the usual tedious pro and anti-Ineos traffic, but it strikes me that if I’d been involved in a crash because two people had been involved in a willy-waving contest at the front of the bunch, I’d be furious. IMO Martin and Rowe were lucky they didn’t cause a serious injury to someone, and chucking them off the race seemed fair.
On a side note, Martin and Rowe sounds like a mid-noughties nu-folk duo who were on the cusp of commercial success before Mummford and Sons came along and ruined the genre for everyone.”
I’m almost always pro ruckus in sport, and would endeavour to judge according to what did happen rather than according to what might’ve happened. Expulsion seems a bit much to me, though i understand why that was what happened.
The gradient is starting to warm up and Cherel is up front, looking to increase the pace - perhaps for Bardet. 129km to go, 6.30 the gap to the peloton.
“Crossed to the dark side this morning,” says Andrew Mullinder, “and Armstrong and Hincape had an interesting take on the Rowe-Martin contretemps. They contended that it happened because there’s no clear lead team this year, with Ineos not taking its usual Sky-boss role. Because of that, when roads narrow or key sections approach, several teams think they have a right to the prime locations in the Peleton. Given a tough tour well into its third week, and 40 degree heat, tempers -- and entitlement -- flared as they all jostled for that slot.”
Tempers are an integral part of all sport.
“Oï!” says Anne-Sophie O’Connor. “Don’t diss Parklife, it’s a brilliant album.”
It never spoke to me. End of a Century and This is a Low are good, but the rest of it? Sub-Madness mockney nonsense. Blur are also one of the very worst live bands I’ve seen.
“Can you somehow get a message to the riders to make it a really exciting stage today?” emails Stefan Glosby. “I’m stuck in an office without air conditioning and no work to do. Your coverage is the only thing keeping me going!”
One outta two ain’t bad!
Updated
The break lead the peloton by 5.56. among them is Tim Wellens, King of the Mountains, while guess who leads? Lutsenko is properly on one
“ITV’s celebration of yellow jerseys,” emails Neil Withers, “set me to thinking while cycling into work/the open door of a fan oven this morning and came out as the following (to a tune that should be obvious):
Maître Jacques, Maître Jacques,
Greg LeMond, Greg LeMond
Sonny Colbrelli, Sonny Colbrelli
Yates, Roche, Froome,
Yates, Roche, Froome
You can swap Greg LeMond for Indurain/Delgado if Spanish Tour winners from the 80s/90s is more your thing.”
It minded me of this, from an album that has very much not stood the test of time (nor was it great at the time, but that’s another story).
“I’ve been hoping it for some time now,” tweets D-Lo, but is today finally going to be a big day for the Colombian boys?”
Bernal will fancy it for sure. Tangentially, the Colombian flag is lowkey banger.
Pinot’s Groupama lads tell Wiggins that they plan to attack on some mountains, but need to retain some energy for what’s coming up. I wonder if he’d go all-in if it looked liek the right thing to do.
Apparently my email wasn’t quite working, so please send joy to: daniel.harris.casual@theguardian.com.
It seems that Perichon has been stung by a bee, and requires medical attention. Weird to think about the stuff he’s done without requiring that.
It’s certainly hard to see Alaphilippe coming back if he loses his lead today. Pinot must surely fancy himself to perpetrate sadism and masochism this afternoon.
In commentary, they reckon if Alaphilippe can stay in yellow today, he’ll be well-placed, and the presence of Dylan Van Baarle in the break tells us that Ineos plan to hiy him.
At 142.5km, the leading group are 4.39 in front. Quintana and Bardet at the front and Adam Yates is close by.
The commentary mention the great Eddie Merckx, so here’s this on him from Joy of Six: sporting beauty.
💚 At the intermediate sprint won by De Buyst , a big group managed to create an advantage of 20'' over the main peloton.
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 25, 2019
💚 Au sprint intermédiaire remporté par De Buyst, un gros groupe a réussi à créer un écart d'environ 20'' avec le peloton principal. pic.twitter.com/CcDprnUrqy
Our breakers:
Romain Bardet, Mickaêl Cherel, Mathias Frank (AG2R La Mondiale)
Nairo Quintana, Andrey Amador, Carlos Verona (Movistar)
Adam Yates, Daryl Impey, Chris Juul-Jensen (Mitchelton-Scott)
Tim Wellens, Tiesj Benoot, Jasper De Buyst (Lotto Soudal)
Greg Van Avermaet, Serge Pauwels, Simon Geschke (CCC Team)
Alexey Lutsenko, Gorka Izagirre (Astana)
Michael Woods, Alberto Bettiol (EF Education First)
Lennard Kämna, Nikias Arndt (Team Sunweb)
Mike Teunissen, Amund Jansen (Jumbo-Visma)
Julien Bernard (Trek-Segafredo)
Sergio Henao (UAE Team Emirates)
Pierre-Luc Périchon (Cofidis)
Dylan Van Baarle (Team Ineos)
Nils Politt (Katusha-Alpecin)
Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Merida)
Amaël Moinard (Arkéa-Samsic)
Paul Ourselin (Total Direct Energie)
Mathieu Ladagnous (Groupama-FDJ)
Maximilano Richeze (Deceuninck-QuickStep)
Updated
So the breakaway are away/is away. Let me know which, grammar heroes.
Of the leading group, now 41s clear, Quintana is the highest placed.
There are 33 riders in the leading group, but though the start was a quick one, there’s been no definitive escape.
The Rowe/Martin penalty seemed harsh,” tweets Guy Hornsby, “however sounds like TV didn’t have all the evidence. ITV had a push from Martin, but it appears Rowe gave him a bit of a slap. Still, it all seems a bit handbags, and a distraction from the start of three immense stages.”
Yes, I can’t for the life of me fathom why anyone’s arsed enough not to just let it go.
De Buyst and Arst take the big points, while Van Baarle leads the front group. Bardet is there, Quintana, and lots of other hopefuls.
Updated
There’s a big split in the peloton and the frankly unwell Lutsenko is involved again as they sprint for the line...
We’ve got an intermediate sprint coming up in 2km.
About 20 riders have moved away, but not definitively so. Bardet is there towards the front – he fancies a stage win, you’d think.
There’s been a crash of some sort - Caleb Ewan and and Wout Poels contrived to run each other over the edge of the round. Both are back on the road.
Updated
Just the eight pints for me last night 169.1km to go.
Peter Chymera asks for a stage breakdown...
Updated
Decent second career for yerman Impey. He’s pushing the pace now, perhaps setting it up for Adam Yates.
Lutsenko, Yates, Impey and Kamna put in some work, and pull 16s away from the peloton. No way four’s enough to cement a break, but perhaps they’re trying to run the gas out of each other.
174.6m to go as Bradley “Brad” Wiggins tells us that “you have to pray” for the lads doing the work. “They haven’t even started the climb yet.”
Lutsenko is dragged back while we were enjoying some informational messages; apparently he had some stern words for his team-mates in the peloton. He’s still keen to get it going, obviously, because who wouldn’t be.
Lutsenko has more than Perichon, pushing on without him - I’m not sure how he’s offended himself, but he’s certainly making sure he won’t forget it in a hurry. Behind him, Bardet is now in the group, and it’s beginning to look like this might be the break.
The yellow jersey group split on the descent but is now back together. Meanwhile, Turgis and Moinard have been caught by the front portion of the peloton, while Lutsenko and Perichon now have a gap of 20s.
Up front, it’s still Lutsenko and Perichon, with a group closing them down and moving away from a larger group behind.
On Rowe, this from the wires: Sir Dave Brailsford suggested Team Ineos may take their complaints over Luke Rowe’s expulsion from the Tour de France to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as the race continued without him on Thursday morning.
Rowe turned up at the team bus in Embrun prior to stage 18 to Valloire in the slight hope that commissaires may overturn their decision to throw both Rowe and Jumbo-Visma’s Tony Martin off the race following an altercation between the pair during Wednesday’s stage 17.
But the team always knew it was unlikely, describing it as a “0.001 per cent chance”, and Rowe instead left the start in a team van as the peloton set off into the Alps.
Speaking before Rowe’s arrival, Brailsford said: “You appeal and they say yes or no. If they say no then you go to CAS. That’s the whole point of CAS as an arbitrator.”
It looks amazing up here (there). I wonder if the riders pay that any heed whatsoever.
Lutsenko and Péricon have opened a 10s lead; Turgis and Moinard are in pursuit.
While we were on a break, Lutsenko was first to Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées. Périchon took the other bonus point.
Complete the following sentence: riding up mountains hurts, but have they ever...
...sprayed Lynx Marine onto their forearm for 36 seconds.
Yates moves to the front as they near the top of the Côte de Demoiselles Coiffées.
The peloton reel Lutsenko in as the climbing continues.
Luke Rowe is on the INEOS bus.
— Daniel Friebe (@friebos) July 25, 2019
Two minutes ago Dave Brailsford still didn’t know whether he could start the stage.
Brailsford replied ‘Maybe’ to question of whether Rowe had kit on.
Looks alright, but is it near the Tube?
💨The riders arrive at the foot of the first challenge of the day, the Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées.
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 25, 2019
💨 Les coureurs arrivent au pied de la première difficulté de la journée, la Côte des Demoiselles Coiffées.#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/NRPnK5WGup
Lutsenko sticks in a burst, a little clear of the peloton, and Simon Yates takes a good look at him.
The peloton are back with Sagan, who was briefly away with three others. The climbing has already begun.
There’s a pretty good chance of some rain later today, which should make the descents even more disgraceful than you’d expect.
Sagan is forcing the pace in the break with 200km to go. After 112km, the lads pass the 3000km mark. I just let out a little squeak at my desk.
In case you missed yesterday’s fun and games...
There’s a slight break – Sagan is involved – but I can’t see it lasting.
“Morning Dan!” tweets MaliciousA – brother, I presume of Tenacious D. “Not expecting a day of thrilling heroics – the smart move is for Pinot to mark Ineos, and get the stomp on tomorrow. He shouldn’t risk losing any gains on the ups on the downs. JA might blow up today, that’ll reduce the risk of needless fighting.”
Geraint Thomas was saying that he didn’t expect today to be decisive because the finishes weren’t climbs, but the stage is so nails it’s impossible to know. Alaphilippe has climbed well so far...
The front lads have absolutely battered out of the gate. Bardet, everyone reckons, will be going for it with intense kavanah.
AND WE’RE AWAY!
Updated
Breaking news: it’s hot.
There’s 2.6km to the official start.
There are rumours that Dave Brailsford is trying to get Luke Rowe back into proceedings. Would that count as a marginal gain?
This stage is the only featuring two hors-category climbs, Izoard and Galibier. Or Eddie and John-Paul, as they’re known.
Landa, Bardet, Yates and Nibali are favourites for today, but it’s tough to focus on them when the battle for the overall is so intense. It looks gorgeous out there, though nothing on a box room in north London.
Oh good, Sky Go is down. Stand by for some hot off the phone action!
💨 The riders are off for the neutralised start.
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 25, 2019
💨 Les coureurs viennent de s'élancer, ils sont dans le départ fictif.#TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/TiJGSL4td1
Preamble
OK, let’s do it.
Hey, wake up. It’s time.
Wake up. Let’s go. It’s time.
This is it.
Today, we – OK, “we” – begin the first of three Alpine schleps, featuring three ludicrous climbs, and without the slightest clue how things will shake down when they’re all done.
Julian Alaphilippe still leads the overall standings, but until these last few weeks was considered no more climber than Blonde Man is golfer, so his 1min 35sec lead over Geraint Thomas looks vulnerable – even though though Thomas’s road captain was hoofed out of the race last evening. Meanwhile, Steven Kruijswijk, the magnificently menacing Thibaut Pinot, and Egan Bernal lurk with intent.
This is going to be spectacular.
Start: 10.30am BST, 11.30am local time
