Stage 19 Puts A New Rider In Yellow

Stage 19 of the Tour de France, the last mountain stage, was all about two things -- redemption and further narrowing the field of possible winners this year. The redemption was for the country of France and for a couple of Spanish riders who were embarrassed yesterday.

Although a Frenchman had worn the yellow jersey as the race leader for 10 days, no Frenchmen had actually won a stage of this year's Tour. That was remedied by french rider Pierre Rolland (Europcar) today as he climbed his way to victory in today's stage, putting an end to the fears of his countrymen that there would be no French victories in 2011.

It was also a day of redemption for Spanish riders Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), who rode themselves out of contention for the yellow jersey in yesterday's stage. Sanchez took second place in stage 19 and Contador grabbed the third place honors. They finished a little more than 30 seconds ahead of the race leaders.

Meanwhile, the 10 day ride in yellow cam to an end for France's Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) as he could not stay with the current race leaders on the final brutal climb of today's race. This year's winner will now be one of three riders -- Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek), his brother Frank Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek), or Australian Cadel Evans (BMC Racing). First place (A. Schleck) and third place (C. Evans) are separated by only 57 seconds -- a time that could easily be erased in the final competitive stage tomorrow.

Stage 20 is a 42 kilometer individual time trial that starts and finishes in the city of Grenoble. Each rider will ride alone against the clock, and it should be exciting to see who ends the day in yellow. Evans is generally regarded the best time-trialer, but wearing yellow could spur Schleck to a great performance.

Here are the current standings:

YELLOW JERSEY (INDIVIDUAL LEADER)
1. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)
2. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)..........53"
3. Cadel Evans, Australia (BMC Racing)..........57"
4. Thomas Voeckler, France (Europcar)..........2' 10"
5. Damiano Cunego, Italy (Lampre)..........3' 31"
6. Alberto Contador, Spain (Saxo Bank)..........3' 55"
7. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)..........4' 22"
8. Ivan Basso, Italy (Liquigas)..........4' 40"
9. Tom Danielson, USA (Garmin-Cervelo)..........7' 11"
10. Pierre Rolland, France (Europcar)..........8' 57"


GREEN JERSEY (SPRINTERS)
1. Mark Cavendish, Great Britain (HTC-Highroad)....280 pts
2. Jose Joaquin Rojas, Spain (Movistar)....265 pts
3. Philippe Gilbert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)....230 pts
4. Thor Hushovd, Norway (Garmin-Cervelo)....195 pts
5. Cadel Evans, Australia (BMC Racing)....191 pts


POLKA DOT JERSEY (CLIMBERS)
1. Samuel Sanchez, Spain (Euskaltel-Euskadi)........108 pts
2. Andy Schleck, Luxembourg (Leopard-Trek)........98 pts
3. Jelle Vanendert, Belgium (Omega-Lotto)........74 pts
4. Cadel Evans, Australia (BMC Racing)........58 pts
5. Frank Schleck, Spain (Leopard-Trek)........56 pts


TEAM STANDINGS
1. Garmin-Cervelo (USA)
2. AG2R (France)..........11' 58"
3. Leopard-Trek (Luxembourg)..........12' 57"
4. Europcar (France)..........40' 46"
5. Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spain)..........49' 50"