Thymen Arensman claimed victory in the shortened 19th stage of the Tour de France, completing the route from Albertville to La Plagne after a brave lone attack on the final climb. Race leader Tadej Pogacar remained unfazed by any significant threats, retaining his overall lead against Jonas Vingegaard.
The Ineos Grenadiers rider, who has gained attention due to a staff member’s involvement in an anti-doping inquiry from their days as Team Sky, celebrated his second stage win of the Tour. Meanwhile, Scotland’s Oscar Onley faced disappointment, slipping from podium contention in the final moments of the stage despite a commendable performance.
Onley had fought hard against fluctuating dynamics in the race, particularly during a pivotal moment when Florian Lipowitz surged ahead, followed closely by Pogacar and Vingegaard. Onley had been neck-and-neck with Lipowitz for much of the day, but struggled to keep pace during Pogacar’s decisive move seven kilometers from the finish. Ultimately, Lipowitz pulled away to secure a likely third-place finish in his debut Tour.
Arensman, who previously triumphed in the Pyrenees, demonstrated incredible resilience, narrowly winning the stage by just two seconds as Vingegaard made a late move to capture second. Reflecting on his victory, a fatigued Arensman expressed disbelief at defeating some of the world’s top riders: “I didn’t take no for an answer … Everybody knows [Pogacar and Vingegaard] are the strongest in the world. I just can’t believe I beat them today.”
This stage was notably abbreviated from its original 130 kilometers after two climbs were removed due to a cull of infected cows, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of cycling competitions. The race’s atmosphere was further enhanced by the cold rain as competitors navigated challenging terrain.
Pogacar, despite his struggles during the Tour, praised Arensman’s performance: “He was super good.” Looking ahead, the racers will continue toward Paris, with the upcoming stage through the Jura to Pontarlier paving the way to the Tour’s conclusion, where an exhilarating finale awaits—a high-stakes ride replicating the Paris 2024 road race.
The impending stages promise excitement, and while Pogacar remains focused on securing his lead, the potential for unexpected outcomes always looms large in cycling. Competitors are expected to push their limits in the final legs of this prestigious tour, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.