Stage 19 gives one last chance to the breakaway men. Sure winning a stage here does not get the plaudits and coverage of the first week (remember Mark Cavendish?) but it is still a stage of the tour all the same and everyone wants to win one!
The sprinters will have to take a back seat here, the strong men & classics riders will have a go at this. It is likely that all the teams (maybe with the exception of Astana and Saxo Bank) will try and get riders in a breakaway, which will mean lots of attacks early and then probably a big bunch of 25 or so will form and settle in until the beginning of the last climb. From there i bet plenty in that breakaway will be prepared to attack each other and the 14km climb of the Col de l'Escrinet that peaks just 16km from the finish should provide the platform for that. So you have to be a strong rider, able to maintain 45km/h on the flat for long periods and then have the ability to climb the mountain at the end, its not that hard (average 4%) but 14km uphill will sort them out. Then whoever is left will have to descend like a mad man to get the prize.
Think Oscar Freire, Luis Leon Sanchez, Sylvain Chavanel, Heinrich Haussler, George Hincapie, Jurgen Van den Broek, Kim Kirchen, David Moncoute, Sandy Casar, Thomas Voeckler and of course Thor Hushovd will be there chasing sprint points - he can still lose his green jersey but it is unlikely, he can also put it beyond doubt. Cadel Evans might even have a go, he seems to be holding back for something and it could be this.
Winner to come from one of those - bet in play though.
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