The last alpine stage between Albertville and La Plagne, whose mileage was reduced at the last minute, should above all serve this Friday to freeze the general classification while the yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar approaches every day a little more than a fourth coronation.
“I was a little afraid of this stage but it turned into a very beautiful day”: this is how Tadej Pogacar summed up the Thursday stage, announced as terrible with its almost 5,500 meters of positive drop and which, ultimately, has summed up to the solo victory of Australian Ben O’Connor. Before the last day of high mountains, the Slovenian yellow jersey has almost 4’30 ” ahead of its Danish dolphin Jonas Vingegaard, simply less strong.
The 35 -kilometer amputated step
This Friday, the 100% Savoyard course departing from Albertville is even shorter than expected: only 95 kilometers with two passes out of category, that of the meadow then the climb to the Plagne where the finish line is installed.
The stage was amputated 35 kilometers after “the discovery within a herd located precisely in the Col des Entries, a contagious nodular dermatosis focus affecting cattle”, synonymous with systematic animal slaughter. To avoid possible farmers’ demonstrations, the organizers of the Grande Loop preferred to reduce the layout.
A step to finalize the top 10
This 19e stage should above all freeze the general classification, with the young German Florian Lipowitz who will defend his 3e place threatened by the British Oscar Onley while the Normand Kévin Vauquelin, who has lost a position, is still 7e And best French. Regarding the ranking of the best climber, it is his compatriot Lenny Mar who currently holds the crown.
