Stage 18 of the 2014 Tour de France sees the peloton facing two hors categorie climbs on the final day in the Pyrenees. Join us on The Roar from 10pm AEST for all the action.
Vincenzo Nibali is set now to be riding into Paris in the Maillot Jaune, the first Italian since Marco Pantani in 1998 to do so.
Stage 18 is one of the last chances for his rivals to try and put time into the Shark, but it is more likely that Nibali will extend his lead and make the ride around Paris on Sunday a procession.
Today’s stage is a 145.5 kilometre ride from Pau to the renowned climb of Hautacam. There are three more climbs on the route today, two category threes, and the small challenge of the hors categorie Col du Tourmalet.
Hautacam has been the finish of a Tour de France stage on just one other occasion, in 2008. On that occasion, it was Spaniard Juan Jose Cobo who won the day.
As long as Nibali gets over the Col du Tourmalet in the first group, it is more than likely he will ride to Paris as only the sixth man to have won all three Grand Tours.
As for the stage win, this Tour is riddled with accomplished climbers who could take the win. Alejandro Valverde and his Movistar team will no doubt be on the attack, trying to close the gap to Nibali before Stage 20’s final time trial.
The men with designs on winning the Tour de France this year will need to take lots of time out of Nibali, which will hopefully prompt a day of attacking racing.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Thankyou for joining me for the coverage of stage eighteen of the Tour de France. Make sure you join us on the Roar for the rest of the Tour de France, there's plenty of action left!
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Rafal Majka has also wrapped up the King of the Mountains jersey.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Vincenzo Nibali leads the Tour de France by seven minutes and ten seconds to Thibaut Pinot. Thirteen seconds further down is Jean-Christophe Peraud, and another two seconds down is Alejandro Valverde.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Vincenzo Nibali won the stage by one minute and ten seconds.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Romain Bardet will finish in front of the Valverde group. Thibaut Pinot will be in second place tonight.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Thibaut Pinot wins the sprint for second place, with Majka in third.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
The Shark of Messina, Vincenzo Nibali wins atop the Hautacam. He will ride into Paris on Sunday as the first Italian since Marco Pantani to win the Tour de France.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
The Italian champion Vincenzo Nibali has one kilometre to go to the summit of Hautacam.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Two kilometres for Nibali who looks untouchable for the stage win.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
The Pinot group are just about to catch Rafal Majka.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Majka is being chased by the trio of Peraud, van Garderen and Pinot.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Correction - Majka is fifty two seconds back.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Four kilometres to go for Nibali. Rafal Majka is twenty nine seconds back.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Vincenzo Nibali has five kilometres to go. This Tour de France is decided barring accidents.
polly
Guest
Holy dangerous photo opportunity Batman ! Imagine trying to escape the mob of spectators, let alone his support team, after you end the race of the virtually certain winner, whilst taking a selfie !
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Valverde is pushing and fighting back. Van Garderen, Pinot and Peraud are clear.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Alejandro Valverde looks to be cracking! He is at the back of the group hanging on!
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Thibaut Pinot has attacked! Van Garderen and Peraud are responding.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Tejay van Garderen is dispatching the Trek duo of Frank Schleck and Haimar Zubeldia at the front of the peloton.
Tomas Fish
Roar Guru
Thibaut Pinot's FDJ.fr team are setting the pace for the peloton as Vincenzo Nibali reaches an 11% section.