Arensman wins Tour de France stage 19
Barring disaster Team UAE rider Pogacar should claim his fourth Tour de France title aged just 26 years in Paris on Sunday as he exits the Alps with a lead of over four minutes on second placed Vingegaard with two stages remaining.
According to The Guardian live coverage of the Tour de France Arensman was quoted, "I'm absolutely destroyed. I can't believe it. To win one stage, from a break. Now against the GC group, the strongest riders in the world, it feels like I'm dreaming.
"After the descent to La Plagne, we were talking in the radio I said to the DS in the radio, today is the last mountain stage, I have no GC to ride for, I will try to hang on for a few kilometres in the climb and see how the legs feel.
"I started the climb, I thought, I have no GC: maybe they will look at each other? "Everyone knows Tadej and Jonas are the strongest in the world, almost aliens ..."
Legendary cyclist Merckx discharged from hospital
Legendary Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx was discharged from hospital on Friday following complications after a hip fracture, his wife Claudine told Belgian daily newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.
Merckx was hospitalised on July 13 due to repeated complications related to the fitting of a hip prosthesis following a cycling accident last December.
The five-time Tour de France winner also developed a skin infection that required heavy antibiotic treatment, he told AFP in June during a reception to mark his 80th birthday.
Merckx will have to return to the hospital within a month to have a new, permanent prosthesis fitted. In the meantime, he will be housebound.
"For now, Eddy is just happy to be able to go home. He feels most comfortable in his familiar surroundings," said his wife.
The 19th stage modified over infected cattle
The 19th stage of the Tour de France has been shortened due to the discovery of a contagious disease in a herd of cattle located along the original route between Albertville and La Plagne, race organisers said Thursday.
"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," said organisers in a statement about Friday's stage.
"In light of the distress experienced by the affected farmers and in order to preserve the smooth running of the race, it has been decided, in agreement with the relevant authorities, to modify the route of Stage 19 (Albertville-La Plagne) and to avoid the ascent to the Col des Saisies."
This considerably changes the profile of the stage, which will now be just 95km long instead of the planned 129.9km.
The ceremonial start will be given as planned on the outskirts of Albertville but will now take place at 1230 GMT — an hour later than originally scheduled.
After a 7km parade the official start will then be given. The Col des Saisies will notably be bypassed with the race rejoining the original route just after the initially scheduled 50km mark.
Three climbs remain on the programme with the hors categorie Col du Pre, the Cormet de Roselend and the final ascent to La Plagne for a finish at an altitude of 2,052m.
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