As it happened: GC men denied stage win on final Alpine summit finish at stage 19 of the Tour de France

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Two earlier climbs are removed following the outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle, removing 35km of racing

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Bonjour et bienvenue to Cyclingnews' live coverage of stage 19 of the 2025 Tour de France !

The Tour de France was disrupted yesterday evening by the news of "the discovery of an outbreak of contagious nodular dermatitis affecting cattle in a herd located specifically in the Col des Saisies has necessitated the culling of the animals," the ASO stated in an announcement.

The result was a shortening of stage 19 form 129.9km to 95km, and you can read the full story here:

Cow contagion forces Tour de France organisers to re-route stage 19, shortening to 95km

As we step-up our live coverage, the riders are signing on Albertville. The good news is that the sun is out.

This morning everyone has been analysing and discussing the racing of stage 18.

Geraint Thomas signs on with his Ineos Grenadiers and his reminded that he set-up his 2018 Tour victory with success on stage 11 that also started from Alberville.

Oscar Onley of Picnic-PostNL is the next on the sign-on podium before stage 19. It will be fascinating to see if he can snatch third place on the podium from Florian Lipowitz after reducing the gap to just 22 seconds.

Ben O’Connor was the victor yesterday, following in the footsteps of Thymen Arensman at Superbagnères by being the lone breakaway rider not to be caught by a charging Tadej Pogačar. Here’s what the Australian had to say when reflecting on his ride.

Today will be the last stage in the High Alps, and therefore the last opportunity for Jonas Vingegaard to use his nearly-unparalleled climbing speed in the mountains. The Dane has the beating of everyone on the big mountains - that is, all expect the man in the yellow jersey, Tadej Pogačar.

Incidentally, Jonas Vingegaard will be wearing the polka-dot jersey on loan from Pogačar, having gained points at two of yesterday’s hors category summits.

This stage might have been shortened, but there’s still a serious amount of climbing to be done. The riders must complete two hors category climbs - the Col du Pré first up, then La Plagne at the finish.

Florian Lipowitz remains in the white jersey, but both that and his third place position on GC is now under serious threat from Oscar Onley, who yesterday moved to just 22 seconds behind him. You imagine the German will ride much more conservatively than then, when he launched a long-range solo attack, but does he have the legs to fend off Onley?

There's a big cheer from the crowd at the unofficial start as the riders take off. They'll ride for 5km or so before Prudhomme waves the flag.

The other jersey wearer today is Jonathan Milan.

There have been no abandons overnight, meaning we still have 161 riders in the race.

The sun is shining on the riders at the start, but the weather could become a factor later in the day - it’s just started hailing at the finish atop La Plagne.

And they're off!

Lidl-Trek are indeed adopting the same ploy as yesterday, moving to the front of the peloton right from the flag and controlling the race with a steady pace.

No riders are attempting to attack, all happy to allow Lidl-Trek to control the peloton for now.

If this goes on until the intermediate sprint, this already reduced stage is in practice even shorter, to just 80km of racing. We can therefore expect a very explosive, intense day of racing, that could get very chaotic.

ALBERTVILLE, FRANCE - JULY 25: A general view of the peloton prior to the 112th Tour de France 2025, Stage 19 a 93.1km stage from Albertville to La Plagne 2062m / #UCIWT / Stage route modified over infected cattle / on July 25, 2025 in Albertville, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Just 4km until the intermediate sprint. It seems Lidl and Milan will be allowed to take the points before the action kicks off.

Mechanical for Lusenko. That’s going to make it hard for him to go on the attack after this sprint, if that was his plan - and it may well be, given the form he’s been showing.

Milan is 5th in line, 1km away from the sprint.

Simmons leads out Milan, and Milan takes the points ahead of Girmay and Turgis. They were happy with that order over the line, with nobody launching into a sprint.

Guess who? Jonas Abrahamsen kicks things off with an attack out of the sprint.

Abrahamsen has a gap, but no riders have joined him.

Abrahamsen has a lead of 10 seconds, but behind nobody seems interested in attacking yet. They might be waiting for the start of the climb, Col du Pré, coming up soon.

Here’s the updated points classification. Pogačar did not bother to take any points again, meaning Milan now has a very healthy advantage:

As they begin the climb, the attacks do indeed commence - Baudin kicks things off with riders trying to follow.

Abrahamsen has been caught and passed.

Primož Roglič is on the attack again! He's one of the man following this Baudin move.

Roglič and Baudin are in a group of about 8 riders, 10 seconds ahead of the peloton.

This is a fascinating attack from Roglič. After their tactics backfired yesterday, you might have expected Red Bull to ride more conservatively, but are happy for the Slovenian to leave the side of Lipowitz, despite the German’s slender hold on third-place.

Jegat is also in this lead group, perhaps hoping to jump into the top ten. As is Arenesman, who will have his eye on KOM points.

8th and 9th place on GC, Tobias Halland Johannessen and Ben Healy, are also now in this lead group, which is getting ever bigger.

Two Bahrain riders have clipped off the front of this breakaway group - Stannard and Lenny Martinez.

About 8 riders have joined the two Bahrain men, including Roglič and Johannessen.

More riders have joined the lead group again, including the Visma duo of Campanaerts and Kuss.

That group has been brought back by the peloton, but Roglič is still keen and trying to form a new lead group.

Storer, Rubio, Campanaerts and Armirail have gone with Roglič.

Martinez has bridged up to the leaders and attacked them. They're about 20 seconds ahead of the peloton.

Roglič, Rubio and Armirail have joined Martinez.

Visma have lost a lot of riders from the peloton already - Jorgenson and Van Aert were dropped early, and now even Kuss is out the back.

Valentin Paret-Peintre is the 5th rider to join the lead group.

UAE still have healthy representation in the break. Tim Wellens leads, with others also surrounding their leader Pogačar.

Martinez and Roglič have gone clear of the other three.

Roglič and Martinez are looking strong. They're 10 seconds ahead of Paret-Peintre, and almost 40 seconds ahead of the peloton.

It's no surprise to see so many riders struggling on this mountain - averaging 7.8% for 12.6km, including many sharp ramps up its many hairpins, it’s described by some as the hardest of this whole Tour.

Vauquelin is drifting towards the back of the peloton. He had to dig very deep to limit his losses yesterday, and looks like he faces another hard day in the saddle to defend his 7th place on GC.

The pack of riders (peloton) cycles past the village of Areches in the ascent of Col du Pre during the 19th stage of the 112th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 93.1 km between Albertville and La Plagne, in the French Alps, on July 25, 2025. The 19th stage of the Tour de France was shorted from its initial 129.9 km route, bypassing the Col des Saisies where an outbreak of nodular dermatitis in a herd of cattle was discovered, prompting organizers to modify the race route. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Roglič and Martinez are 2km from the summit. They lead Paret-Peintre by 5 seconds, a group containing Rubio, Campanaerts, Armirail and Foss by 30 seconds, and the peloton by 48 seconds.

Paret Peintre has bridged up to Roglič and Martinez.

Well, he'd almost bridged up - he's facing an agonising challenge to close the last few bikelengths. Now he is on their wheels.

Paret-Peintre has been dropped again.

And now he's caught them again! The Frenchman is having to dig so deep on these horrible gradients.

Martinez is allowed to take all 20 points at the top of the climb uncontested. He's reigniting his campaign for the polka-dot jersey, but still has to climb very well to take all the points he needs to dethrone Pogačar.

The riders are already done descending on the cruelly short downhill off the Col du Pré, and will be climbing again soon up the category two Cormet de Roselend.

The three leaders are 35 seconds ahead of the Campanaerts chasing quartet, and 45 seconds ahead of the peloton.

Vauquelin was dropped on that climb, and is 20 seconds adrift from the peloton.

Here are the updated KOM rankings. Martinez is closing down on Pogačar, now just 13 points behind:

They've begun the Cormet de Roseland, which climbs at 6.5% for 5.8km.

The three leaders on the descent earlier.

Uno-X have taken over at the front of the peloton from UAE, with Leknessund. It seems they’re eyeing up seventh on GC with Johannessen, ahead of the dropped Vauquelin.

The chase group between the leaders and the peloton appears to have been caught, and the gap between them is down to just 30 seconds.

Paret-Peintre looks to have recovered from his struggles on the Col du Pré - he’s now attacking the other two!

Roglič has stayed on his wheel, but Martinez is well dropped.

There are about 30 riders in the peloton, still being led by Leknessund. The Vauquelin group is over a minute behind.

Martinez has managed to close the gap and is back with the leaders, just 1km from the summit. He really wants these points, but looks on the limit.

Martinez comes through to take the points, and the other two don't fight him for it.

The peloton reach the top of the climb, about 48 seconds behind the leading trio. They're being kept on a tight leash.

It's started raining, just as the riders begin the long descent of the Roseland.

Paret-Peintre has taken off on the descent, and is second ahead of the more cautious Roglič and Martinez.

With Roglič up the road, and committed to this attack, Red Bull really have taken a gamble. If he gets caught before the finish having tired himself with the effort, and Lipowitz dropped by Onley on the final climb without a teammate to help him, they could wind up losing both their podium spot and the white jersey.

The new KOM rankings, as Martinez edges a little closer to the lead:

Paret-Peintre has been caught by the other two as they continue to descend, and now Roglič has flown clear of both of them.

Roglič has opened up a lead of 10 seconds over the two chasers on this descent, and almost a minute over the peloton.

The peloton is flying down this descent. The pace is so high that there are some splits, with the UAE and Visma riders pressing on.

Paret-Peintre has gone clear of Martinez. There are about 12 seconds between each riders now.

The peloton is coming back together, after the splits earlier on the descent.

Roglič is on a tricky stretch of road now. The gradient has shallowed and he has his nose to the wind riding alone, trying to hold off a peloton that are still going hard.

Martinez and Paret-Peintre have both been caught by the peloton, leaving Roglič as the only man up the road - with a slender lead of just 40 seconds.

As for Vauquelin, he’s in a group that is 1:30 behind the peloton. That’s most of his advantage over Johannessen in 8th already eaten into.

Tim Wellens is the man who's done the damage in the peloton. He and UAE are on a mission, not giving the breakaway an inch. Pogačar must want the stage win today.

Roglič is only 15 seconds ahead of the peloton. The catch feels imminent.

Roglič is looking behind him and peddling softly, waiting to be caught.

Vauquelin has two domestiques pacing for him, but he isn’t making any ground up on the peloton, 1:40 behind.

Roglič has been caught - the peloton is now the front of the race.

Tim Wellens is still the man pulling the peloton, as they near the start of La Plagne.

Wellens leads the peloton onto the climb as the gradient ramps up. The final Alpine battle is about to commence!

Roglič is dropped already. He could slide down the GC today - the gamble hasn't paid off.

Lipowitz is isolated, with Vlasov also dropped.

Wellens is, at last, done, and Jhonatan Narváez takes over for UAE.

Decathlon have taken over from UAE at the front of the peloton, their man Scotson leading the peloton.

There are only 14 riders left in the peloton.

Three of those riders are Decathlon riders, and are all at the front. Gall has just less than 3 minutes to take on Roglič to move up to 5th overall.

Aurélien Paret-Peintre and Scotson are the two riders working for Gall.

The yellow jersey still has Narváez with him, and Vingegaard still has Simon Yates to assist him.

All the riders in the GC top ten are in this peloton, apart from Roglič, Vauquelin and O'Connor.

Aurélien Paret-Peintre is finished, and Scotson takes over again.

Scotson has finished, and Gall takes over at the front.

Narváez and Simon Yates have been dropped by Gall's pace, meaning both Pog and Vingegaard are isolated.

Arensman is still here, and has attacked.

The yellow jersey makes his move! Only Vingegaard is equal to it.

With 14km still to ride to the summit, we're in the familiar situation of seeing Pogačar and Vingegaard at the front of the race, clear from everyone else.

Behind, Healy is leading a chase group with Onley and Lipowitz on his wheel. No gaps yet in the battle for third-place.

Arensman makes it back to Pog and Vingegaard, and even attacks. He's brought back, but the Dutchman is on fire today.

Gall is the the man on the road, between the three leaders and the Lipowitz / Onley group.

Neither Pogačar nor Vingegaard are wanting to commit, allowing Arensman to attack again and this time go clear.

Pogačar evidently wants the stage win, but failed to drop Vingegaard with his attack, and is now unwilling to pace the Dane up the mountain.

Usefully for Onley, his teammate Frank van den Broek has ridden up to his group and is now setting the pace. He’s putting Lipowitz under pressure.

Arensman is 15 seconds ahead as Pogačar and Vingegaard continue to look at each other.

Gall can now see Pog and Vingegaard a few seconds ahead of him, but the Onley chase group can also see him a few seconds behind.

As Van den Broek finished his turn, the race comes back together.

So Arensman leads the race, with a group containing Pogačar, Vingegaard, Lipowitz, Onley, Gall, Johannessen and Healy about 30 seconds behind.

Roglič is almost four minutes behind now. He's lost his 5th place on the virtual GC to Gall already, and could even slip down another place behind Johannessen at this rate.

Vauquelin is in a group 3:50 behind the peloton, but 1:15 ahead of Roglič.

Pogačar is leading the group of favourites, but setting a controlled pace rather than an explosive one.

The yellow jersey's pace is keeping Arensman's lead held at about 30 seconds.

Here was Arensman a little earlier, making his move on Pogačar and Vingegaard.

The yellow jersey has mad another move, but he still can't drop Vingegaard - or even Onley, who has followed them both.

Lipowitz bridges up to them having failed to follow the initial acceleration.

Having reduced the group to just four riders, Pogačar continues to set the pace, with Arensman still 30 seconds ahead. Dare we say it - Pogačar doesn’t look as strong as normal today?

Pogačar hasn't looked in any danger of being dropped, but hasn't obliterated the field with his attacks as he did earlier in the Tour. He faces a fight to win this stage.

Gall is about 20 seconds behind the yellow jerse group.

Pogačar carries on setting the pace with Vingegaard, Onley and Lipowitz holding on. Arensman is just over 20 seconds ahead.

Gall has been caught by Johannessen and Healy.

Gall and Johannessen drop Healy.

4km left for Arensman, who's puffing his cheeks and swinging from side to side. He's still got 20 seconds, but is looking at the limit.

Pogačar is still being left to do all the work in this group. Could one of the other riders - particularly Vingegaard - take advantage of this and beat him for the stage win? Neither of Vingegaard, Onley and Lipowitz have won a stage yet, while Pog has four already.

3km left to climb for Arensman, still he has 20 seconds.

Onley is struggling to hold on as the gradient ramps up.

He's dragged his way back, but seems to be struggling more than podium rival Lipowitz.

2km left for Arensman, still his lead is 20 seconds.

Onley is dropped again, and this time it seems to be for good.

Lipowitz is trying to capitalise. He's taken to the front.

There are hailstones here at the finish.

Lipowitz is pressing on and has reduced the gap to Arensman to 15 seconds.

Arensman moves under the flamme rouge, his lead still 15 seconds. He could do this!

Onley is 20 seconds behind the other 3.

Still Lipowitz leads the chase, with neither Pog or Vingegaard taking a turn or attacking.

Arensman still has 8 seconds with 500m to go.

This is looking good for Arensman...

Vingegaard at last makes his move, he's attacked

But it's too late, Arensman takes the win!

Vingegaard sprinted for 2nd, mere bikelengths behind Arensman by the finish line. Pogačar was third, Lipowitz fourth.

Onley finished alone in 5th, drifting further away from the podium on GC.

Gall finished 6th having dropped Johannessen, who's 7th. Now Healy arrives home in 8th.

What a spectacular win by Arensman, all the more extraordinary when you remember he didn’t get the head start from being part of the day’s break, but made his attack from the group of favourites on the climb.

Tour de France 2025 - Stage 19 - 25 Jul 2025Dutch rider Thymen Arensman of INEOS Grenadiers team leads on the final climb to La Plagne during 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 93.1 km from Albertville to La Plagne, France, 25 July 2025.By: MARTIN DIVISEK/EPA/Shutterstock

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Vingegaard might be kicking himself, however. For once he managed to finish ahead of Pogačar, getting the better of him in the sprint - but it was for a stage win, but for yet another runner-up finish - his fourth of this Tour.

You can see here how close Vingegaard and Pogačar came to catching Arensman at the finish. It was real nail-biter of a finale.

As for the day’s losers in the GC race - Vauquelin arrived home in 17th, at 6:18, and Roglič even further behind.

Roglič lost a whopping 12:41 in the end, meaning he falls from 5th to 8th on GC, overtaken by Gall, Johannessen and Vauquelin. Vauquelin is overtaken by Johannessen, but by passing Roglič he retains his seventh place.

Vingegaard didn’t look too frustrated at the finish, and had the grace to congratulate stage winner Arensman just after the finish line.

This has been a brutal Tour de France in terms of difficulty, as evidenced by the huge time gaps on GC. The gap between Pogačar in 1st and O’Connor in 10th is an enormous 34:34, even bigger than last year’s equivalent gap of 29:03.

He might not have won the stage, but once again Pogačar has come through a key GC stage without being dropped, or ever looking in any danger. Even compared to his other crushing Tour victories, this might be his most comfortable yet.

Thanks for joining us today! The riders will now leave behind the High Alps, but there is still more racing to be done, first in the Jura mountains tomorrow and then in the new-look Paris finale on Sunday.

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