The penultimate stage of the 2013 Tour de France continues in the Alps tonight. We’ll have live updates from Stage 20 at 10.00pm AEST.
With tomorrow’s final stage the traditional stroll into Paris, tonight’s Stage 20 is the last chance for the likes of Contador, Quintana, Krueziger and Rodriguez to secure their place alongside Chris Froome on the podium at the Champs Elysees.
Froome has all but secured the title, as he holds a 5:11 advantage over Alberto Contador in second place.
That is of course barring what would have to be a disastrous crash in tonight’s stage, which could easily occur considering some of the treacherous descents present in tonight’s route.
But, due to the unlikelihood of that occurring, tonight’s stage will most likely be the final battle of the war that has ensued for second and third place in the General Classification, with this contest closer than ever.
Contador in second only holds a 47-second advantage over Joaquim Rodriguez in 5th, with the Katusha leader having every opportunity to overtake the two-time winner of this race tonight.
The stage features over 70km of categorised climbing, indicating the plenty of opportunities to attack.
The 125km journey from Amnecy to Amnecy – Semnoz concludes with an 11km Hors Category climb at an average gradient of 8.5 percent. The climb is a leg-burner, and the final test of this year’s Tour.
Expect the likes of climbing specialist Quintana and Rodriguez to attack on this climb if they haven’t already, with Contador content to follow the riders’ wheels to the finish in the knowledge that he will stay in second place.
It is being billed by cycling commentators as the battle of the best of the rest, with Froome of course the best.
However, the race for the final podium positions in the Ceneral Classification isn’t the only interesting thing in tonight’s race.
Chris Froome only holds a one-point advantage over Frenchman Pierre Rolland in the King of the Mountains classification prior to tonight.
However with Froome’s priority’s clearly resting with the maillot jaune, Rolland is favourite to grab the polka-dot jersey off the Sky team leader tonight.
Mikel Nieve Iturralde of Euskaldel-Euskadi also a strong chance to take the climbers classification, with the Spaniard only five points in arrears of Europcar rider, Rolland.
So join me tonight from 10.00pm AEST to see who will claim the tight King of the Mountains competition, but most importantly to witness the final battle of the best of the rest; discovering who will stand next to Chris Froome on the podium tomorrow night at the famous Champs Elysees.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
But ALL HAIL FROOME! The Brit once again stuck with Quintana again today, before being attacked 1km from the line. But it didn't matter, with the Brit winning the Tour by a remarkable 5 minutes (approximately, full results still to be confirmed) to become the 2nd Brit ever to win the Tour after Bradley Wiggins became the first ever last year. It's also 2 in a row for team SKY who are without a doubt the dominant team of world cycling.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador has come in 7th, heartbreak for the Spaniard who was in 2nd place prior to today but now has easily slipped out of the top 3 to finish 4th in the Tour, meaning he misses out on a podium place in the GC. Ultimately it was a hugely disappointing Tour for Contador, 4th place finish for a two-time winner at just 30 in the prime of his career is not a result he will be happy with.........
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverde crossed the line 1:14 behind to finish 4th in the stage, and give him possibly a top 10 finish in the GC. Porte has just finished 5th, Telansky 6th to take a top 10 finish.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez finished 2nd in the stage, 17 seconds behind Quintana. But Froome has just come in a further 12 seconds back, to wrap up one of the most DOMINANT TOURS WE HAVE EVER SEEN!!! CONGRATS!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Quintana has officially won the stage, the polka dot jersey, the young riders category and 2nd in the Tour.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez has attacked Froome 700m from the line, leaving Froome to take 3rd for the stage.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Froome has attacked and Quintana has gone with him! But Rodriguez has no answer! But no Quintana has gone, Froome has no answer. Now Quintana will win the KOM competition, the young riders classification, the stage, and 2nd in the Tour de France at just 23 years of age! Ridiculous feats!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez is still setting the pace, does that give Quintana and Froome an advantage in the sprint to the line as they have used less energy? We'll see soon
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Amazing to see the 3 riders that will finish on the podium tomorrow riding together to the finish, with Quintana and Rodriguez proving that Contador and Kreuziger are clearly a step behind and these 2 are the best of the rest behind Froome.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez needs a 26 second gap over Quintana to take 2nd in the Tour de France, so if he wants that he must attack now. 2km to go
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Whoever wins this climb will probably also win the polka dot jersey, but that prize means almost nothing compared with what Froome is about to win.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Andrew Talansky of Garmin Sharp has caught onto the group of Contador, Kreuziger and Porte. A great effort from the American, who may see himself finish in the top 10 of the GC after today's stage.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is now 1:30 behind the 3 leaders 3km from the finish, with his podium chances now basically finished. Now it's just a matter of who will finish 2nd and 3rd, either Quintana or Rodriguez. The 2 are still together with Froome at the front of the race.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
The 3 leaders now have just under 4km to go, with a 1:20 lead over Contador.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is looking gone, with his deficit to the 3 leaders 1:20! His podium position is looking in massive trouble now, unless he can pull back 30 seconds.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverde is between Contador, Krueziger and the leading 3, 52 seconds behind Rodriguez, Quintana and Froome. If he holds this position he will finish 4th or 5th in the GC, a great recovery after the disastrous stage where he lost over 10 minutes a week ago.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is suffering, contuing to lose time, now 42 seconds behind Quintana, Rodriguez and Froome. A reminder that if he loses 51 seconds to Rodriguez he will lose a podium place, whilst if he loses less than 26 seconds to Quintana today he will keep second, assuming Rodriguez stays with him. But that seems unlikely now, Contador will probably finish 3rd or 4th, but things can still change. The 3 leaders have 5km to go.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Only 5.8km to go.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Quintana, Rodriguez and Froome are still altogether, with a 38 second advantage over Contador meaning Quintana has a virtual 12 second lead over Contador in the GC to be in virtual 2nd. If they gain a further 13 seconds, Rodriguez will take Contador for 3rd.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Krueziger has caught his team mate Contador. What a boost for Contador! This means he can help pace Contador back to Rodriguez and Quintana, which may save himself a podium place in Paris tomorrow.