2017 Tour de France: Barguil wins again, Froome's slender lead, Stage 19 preview

 Another fine stage win by Warren Barguil 

clinching Polka Dot Climbers Jersey

 Chris Froome leads Romain Bardet by 

23 seconds and Rigoberto Uran by 29

 Warren Barguil comfortable winner of Climbers' Jersey

Young Rider: Simon Yates lost a little 

more time by has 2.06 advantage over Louis Meintjes

The climb to the finish at the top of the Izoard was predictably tough but produced few changes overall. However, it did highlight once again the talent of Warren Barguil, who broke away from the GC contenders close to the top of the climb, passing everyone ahead and winning the stage. He also clinched the Climbers' Jersey with a lead of 89 points. 

Despite a group of more than 50 riders getting away Sky controlled the race for most of the day except when AG2R La Mondiale took control at the top of the Col de Vars continuing on the descent to the Izoard and the early part of the climb until they burnt out all their riders leaving Romain Bardet alone. Dan Martin, Romain Bardet and Chris Froome, himself, tried attacking but none was successful in shaking off their closest rivals. Bardet gained a four second time bonus on the line moving him to 23 seconds behind Froome, who gained two seconds on Rigoberto Uran.

It should now be down to Saturday's Time Trial in Marseille to decide the overall outcome. All the other Jerseys look decided provided their holders reach paris safely.

2017 La Course: Col de izoard
The women raced up the Col before the men in the 1st Stage of La Course. Highlights here. Annemiek van Vleuten won with Lizzie Deignan second. They ride a pursuit stage on Saturday over the men's TT course.   

Stage 19: Embrun to Salon-de-Provence 222.5 kms

 Lumpy profile and forecast – storms in 

part of second half, wind at the end 

  

Finish: slightly downhill with flat 

but technical run in

This is the longest stage in the 2017 Tour. It is quite lumpy as it gradually makes its way down from the Alps to Provence. Will the diminished number of sprinters want to control the race or will they let a break stay away? Will a GC contender look to put Sky under pressure or will they conserve their energy for tomorrow's time trial? The last forty kilometres could well be quite windy, which could split the race with the possibility of some GC contenders losing time.