Tour de France 2014 will see Stage 19 held on Friday. Yellow Jersey holder Vincenzo Nibali of the Astana team emerged triumphant in the previous stage. Frenchman Thibaut Pinot and Pole Rafal Majka too found themselves on the podium as they came second and third respectively.
Riders begin their departure from the greatly testing Pyrenees in Stage 19. A total of 208.5 kilometres will be covered as the contestants race from Maubourguet Pays du Val d'Adour to Bergerac.
The riders will be pleased to know that mostly flat territory lies before them. Those who had fallen back can make the most of this opportunity and make up for lost ground. Come the 130.5 km mark an intermediate sprint will come the way of the riders. A road straight and long in nature will serve as the venue for the sprint.
It is not all flat throughout the stage, though. The ride toward Begerac will see a solitary climb that the riders will have to contend with. The Cote de Montbazillac is the mountain that lies ahead of the contestants. After this climb, only flat territory is on view till the Stage 19 finish line.
No doubt, if someone manages to take the lead during the climb, the subsequent flat stretches will afford him a chance to hold onto the lead. On the other hand if there are riders who are neck and neck with each other, a really tight ending might be in the offing.
This flat stretch is not without complications as there a few turns on view. To add to this, riders will have to brace for not-such-an-easy finish. First up are a couple of roundabouts. After the three km mark, most of the road is straight, however, shortly after the flame rouge appears, the riders encounter a few turns. They will have to contend with a couple of left-hand turns. Thereafter they head toward the ending point comprising of 490 metres which is straight and flat.
Vincenzo Nibali is now almost assured of the Tour win after his Stage 18 triumph. He will be looking to hammer home the advantage. Rafal Majka will hope to continue his good form.
Where to Watch Live:
Ten Sports Day 19
7.45 PM To 9.15 PM (IST) Friday
France
Online Links
Ten Sports Day 19 HERE
