Thymen Arensman wins stage 19 of the Tour de France as Tadej Pogacar virtually confirms 4th Tour win

Stage 19 of the Tour de France had been shortened and due to UAE Team Emirates - XRG's control, there was no attempt from Jonas Vingegaard to take the yellow jersey. Tadej Pogacar virtually confirmed the overall win whilst Thymen Arensman won stage 19 after a stalemate behind.

The stage only had 93 kilometers to be tackled as a result of a late-night change this Thursday due to an outbreak of an animal disease on the Col des Saisies. Immediately, the chances for a tactical move from Team Visma | Lease a Bike decreased, and right from the first kilometers it looked clear that UAE Team Emirates - XRG were interested in the stage win.

Lidl-Trek have paced the first kilometers of the stage once again to help Jonathan Milan win points for the green jersey, successfully, but as soon as the climb began UAE began hard-pacing with Tim Wellens who led the entire way up the brutal Col du Pré.

Out front Primoz Roglic launched himself to the front once again, being joined by Lenny Martínez who scored maximum points in the first two climbs of the day, and Valentin Paret-Peintre. But in the technical descent from the Cormet the Roseland the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider was left isolated, and then slowly saw the gap fade into the final ascent to La Plagne.

There were no tactics in use until then, with Roglic being dropped at the base of the climb and losing several positions in the overall classification. Decathlon and UAE controlled the group until 14 kilometers to go when Tadej Pogacar attacked the climb, but saw a strong response from Jonas Vingegaard. Thymen Arensman seized the opportunity to attack shortly after and go solo off the front.

The duo followed Felix Gall who kept a high pace to climb the position of Roglic mostly, until Pogacar attacked again with 7 kilometers to go. Vingegaard, Oscar Onley and Florian Lipowitz followed and the yellow jersey kept pacing as no-one would collaborate, with Arensman around 20-30 seconds ahead of the group. But Pogacar didn't look to want to go for the stage win. Arensman is a friend of the Slovenian as seen in Superbagnères and the yellow jersey didn't chase him down.

In the final meters Pogacar did not launch a sprint, instead waiting for Vingegaard to hit the wind, which only happened in the final meters of the stage as the two followed Florian Lipowitz who extended his lead on Oscar Onley. Arensman took the chance to win the stage ahead of the two GC riders.