Tour de France Stage 19: Edvald Boasson Hagen wins from the break

Edvald Boasson Hagen of Dimension Data, twice pipped to the line during this year’s Tour de France, has clinched his first stage win since 2011 this afternoon at Salon de Provence. There was no change in the general classification.

The Norwegian was one of nine riders set to contest the victory at the end of the stage but 3 kilometres from the finish followed Team Sunweb’s Niklas Arndt who was the only rider taking the shorter, right-hand path through a roundabout that saw the pair get a gap over their rivals.

Arndt flicked his elbow to urge the rider behind him to share the work, and did a double-take as he discovered to his horror that it was Boasson Hagen, the last man he’d have wanted for company, and who immediately dropped him and rode away to victory.

At 222.5 kilometres, today’s stage from Embrun was the longest of this year’s race and as the last road stage before Paris on Sunday, there were plenty of riders wanting to get into the break.

Eventually, 20 riders got away after around an hour’s racing and the peloton were happy to let them go. The front group split however with around 20 kilometres remaining as Jens Keukeleire of Orica-Scott pushed hard at the front, his team mate Michael Albasini taking over to force the pace.

That left them alone at the front of the race with seven other riders, and it was a very select group including some big names such as Jan Bakelants of AG2R-La Mondiale, Thomas De Gendt of Lotto-Soudal, and Direct-Energie’s Sylvain Chavanel.

Boasson Hagen was always going to be the strong favourite to win a bunch sprint and the attacks started coming with 5 kilometres left, but by following Arndt’s move, it was the Dimension Data rider who ensured there would be no sprint as he took the third Tour de France stage win of his career.

His former Team Sky colleague Chris Froome meanwhile rolled over the line in the maim group some 10 minutes later and retains the overall lead by 23 seconds from AG2R-La Mondiale’s Romain Bardet.

Cannondale-Drapac’s Rigoberto Uran is a further 6 seconds back in third place ahead of tomorrow’s 22.5-kilometre time trial in Marseille.

Reaction

Stage winner, Edvald Boasson Hagen

This is fantastic. The team helped me a lot before the break went away. They controlled the peloton and on the climb, I was in a good position to follow the attacks.

Within the front group, we worked really well together all day. Naturally, at the end, there were some attacks but I managed to close them down a ride quite smartly.

I had studied the course and I knew I had to go right in that last roundabout. Afterwards, I managed to go solo and I was so happy when I crossed the line.

I’ve been so close so many times. It’s really nice to finally get this victory for the team and for myself as well.

Race leader, Chris Froome

I did a high-five to the Devil because Didi is a legend of the Tour and it was one of those days for us, GC guys, in which we didn't have to go full gas.

After the Alps, we could regain some energy before digging deep again tomorrow.

I was grateful for today's transition stage, thanks for my team mates to control the race the way they did.

The course of the time trial tomorrow suits me but for the stage win, I believe it'll be for guys like Primoz Roglic or Tony Martin.

I have to treat it like any TT I‘ve done before. I won't take any big risk. I fear the crash more that the puncture because you can always change wheel but you can't change legs.

I'm in a fantastic position. I prefer this one than being second or third and having to make up time.

Michael Matthews, who cannot now be caught in the points competition

When we both had one stage win, it was already an amazing Tour. Warren [Barguil] had the ]polka-dot] jersey, we won another stage, then I had the jersey and Warren won another stage. It just kept getting better and better really.

The last two nights since I got the jersey I really couldn't sleep. I think maybe it affected my performances these last two days.

But all our dreams have come true, especially for our team-mates, their dreams have come true as well. It's something we've worked so hard for.

It's really special that all happens in the biggest race of the year.