It makes me happy to see my pace over the weekend didn't scare anyone away thanks for the many comments! Keeps me even more motivated than I already am
Atlantius - Froome suffering can't be explained. He's got better recovery, best climbing, quite some acc and stamina...
Dippofix - I was pretty surprised, too! He'll need that time, though
duxili -
24sebaf1 - I always enjoy a banana, thanks Three more stages to survive!
Faillu - Since 1985 the French have been waiting for a Tour winner of their own. I think Henry is close, but he's not in the clear just yet!
Shonak - I don't mind that Valverde won, only it should've been Henry France is collectively biting their fingernails to shreds, I reckon!
wogsrus - Sure hope not, too!
Jakstar22 - In a 30 km TT against Froome, we might need more indeed
sutty68 - Henry is quite the lion tamer
the_hoyle - Oops, sorry hope it didn't spoil your evening glad you like it, though!
cunego59 - Very glad to hear from you once again, I thought you'd stopped following. Catching up must've been one hell of a job, seeing I've been moving pretty fast lately. Real happy to hear you like what I'm doing, thanks a lot! I think I'll take yellow to Paris, but in Paris I'll need to defend it in the final time trial, that's a bigger problem
welker3257 - Who are you rooting for?
Today it's the start of the week so not as much time as in the weekends.
Expect 1 or 2 race reports today
I didn't expect major problems in this stage. Tomorrow is much longer and tougher, after all...
The Race
We tried to control the race, but the troops are getting restless, tired. It's about time this Tour came to an end, we're all at our final breath.
This became painfully clear when Valverde attacked. I had three team mates with me, they all looked at me and I knew it: they had no energy left, I was on my own...
Trying to chase, Froome made my life a living hell. He let me do the heavywork but attacked every once in a while. If I reacted, he let me do the pace again. After all, my jersey was in danger.
Meanwhile, Valverde was gaining a lot of time.
I was at the end of my powers. For the first time in this Tour, I felt so very powerless on a mountain slope. They had cracked me. My biggest weakness is my youth here. After 20 days, my body doesn't have the strength anymore, I don't have that much body.
Solely on willpower, I hung on. Every stroke of the pedal I had to think: "just a little longer, not far now... Just a little longer, don't give up... Not far now..."
If it weren't for all those fans, yelling me up that mountain, I wouldn't have made it today!
It seemed Froome saw the danger of losing time on Valverde as well. He stopped his attacks and rode a constant pace. I survived the mountain. Going downhill, he tried to push my buttons by constantly asking to relay, even if I had just took a long turn.
I stayed calm, not giving him the satisfaction of getting angry, that's just what he wants so I'll lose my nerve tomorrow.
I was riding for my life. This Maillot Jaune is part of my life now. It's something I want more than ever.
Not even taking the time to celebrate, the World Champion crossed the line first. What a victory for him...
I hate it.
I crossed the line and I felt like crying. Not because I had lost over a minute and a half, but simply because my body was hurting everywhere. How had this turned into Hell?
Result
1
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
4h03'29
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 1'34
3
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
5
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'17
7
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
8
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 3'47
General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
81h52'22
2
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 1'54
3
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 2'14
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'50
5
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 10'30
6
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 10'38
7
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 12'05
8
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 16'40
9
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 17'05
10
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 22'07
Spoiler
11
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 24'25
12
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 26'56
13
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 30'05
14
Lou Smeets
Lotto Belisol
+ 30'48
15
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
+ 38'26
16
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
+ 38'31
17
Jakob Fuglsang
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 42'40
18
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 44'52
19
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 47'44
20
Mikel Nieve
Movistar Team
+ 50'25
21
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 52'23
22
Leopold König
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 53'02
23
Wout Poels
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 53'21
24
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 53'57
25
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 55'32
26
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 58'44
27
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 59'42
28
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 1h05'26
29
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h05'30
30
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
+ 1h07'17
31
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h10'22
32
Jérémy Roy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h12'10
33
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h12'56
34
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h15'39
35
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h16'47
36
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 1h16'58
37
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 1h18'21
38
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h19'45
39
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h20'12
40
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h21'32
41
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h25'49
42
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
s.t.
43
Lasse Bøchman
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1h27'12
44
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
+ 1h27'17
45
Chris Anker Sørensen
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h28'10
46
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h29'10
47
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 1h29'13
48
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 1h33'10
49
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 1h33'50
50
Brice Feillu
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h35'26
51
Bradley Wiggins
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h39'58
52
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h42'36
53
Rémi Pauriol
Team Europcar
+ 1h43'04
54
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h43'21
55
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 1h44'59
56
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 1h49'12
57
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h49'27
58
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1h49'31
59
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 1h50'09
60
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h50'42
61
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h54'57
62
Tony Gallopin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h56'12
63
Michal Golas
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h57'25
64
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h03'03
65
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h04'19
66
Thomas Dekker
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2h04'25
67
Dadley Mitchell
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2h05'38
68
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h05'50
69
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h06'22
70
Levi Leipheimer
Sojasun
+ 2h06'57
71
Jonathan Hivert
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h07'14
72
Jean-Marc Marino
Team Europcar
+ 2h08'23
73
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h10'24
74
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2h14'43
75
Kristjan Koren
Sojasun
+ 2h15'02
76
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h15'39
77
Tiago Machado
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2h18'20
78
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h18'55
79
Maxime Méderel
Team Europcar
+ 2h19'22
80
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
+ 2h19'48
81
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2h21'56
82
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h24'37
83
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2h24'52
84
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h25'02
85
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h26'28
86
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
+ 2h26'29
87
Christophe Riblon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h27'02
88
Byron Guama
Sojasun
+ 2h27'07
89
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h27'10
90
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h27'33
91
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h27'41
92
Mathieu Perget
Team Europcar
+ 2h33'27
93
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2h35'25
94
Tosh Van der Sande
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h37'41
95
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
96
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2h42'20
97
Matthieu Ladagnous
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h42'33
98
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h42'37
99
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2h42'46
100
Fabio Felline
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h43'38
101
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h43'45
102
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h45'10
103
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2h45'50
104
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 2h46'21
105
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 2h46'29
106
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h46'42
107
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h47'29
108
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h48'01
109
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h49'33
110
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2h51'10
111
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 2h56'32
112
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h56'45
113
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2h57'36
114
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h57'37
115
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2h59'12
116
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
+ 3h03'41
117
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h04'31
118
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h04'57
119
Filippo Pozzato
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h05'09
120
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3h05'32
121
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h05'50
122
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h07'08
123
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3h07'42
124
Vincent Jérôme
FDJ.fr
+ 3h07'50
125
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 3h08'30
126
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
+ 3h09'54
127
Andrea Guardini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3h12'06
128
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3h12'17
129
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h12'55
130
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h14'28
131
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 3h14'42
132
Sep Vanmarcke
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h14'48
133
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3h16'02
134
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 3h17'14
135
Nikolas Maes
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h17'38
136
Gaël Malacarne
FDJ.fr
+ 3h18'22
137
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 3h18'52
138
Anthony Roux
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3h19'57
139
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h21'48
140
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h23'19
141
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3h25'08
142
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h26'38
143
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
+ 3h26'58
144
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h28'19
145
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h29'04
146
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3h29'42
147
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 3h30'54
148
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h30'56
149
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 3h32'09
150
Allan Davis
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h34'04
151
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3h35'12
152
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h36'38
153
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h36'48
154
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h37'35
155
Adrien Petit
Astana Pro Team
+ 3h38'04
156
Mark Christian
Sky Procycling
+ 3h38'22
157
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h38'30
158
Tarik Chaoufi
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h38'34
159
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3h38'35
160
Julien Duvivier
FDJ.fr
s.t.
161
Yannick Martinez
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h39'25
162
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
+ 3h40'05
163
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
+ 3h41'49
164
Giacomo Nizzolo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3h43'53
165
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h44'16
166
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3h44'58
167
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h45'37
168
Marcel Sieberg
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h45'42
169
Nacer Bouhanni
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h46'24
170
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h46'25
171
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h47'44
172
Jake Keough
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3h48'51
173
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h49'49
174
Kenny Van Hummel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h51'14
175
Sirko Bödeker
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h51'59
176
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h52'10
177
Mike Teunissen
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h52'15
178
Gert Steegmans
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h53'08
179
Fred Rodriguez
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3h54'16
180
Dmitriy Gruzdev
Astana Pro Team
+ 3h56'56
181
Steele Von Hoff
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3h59'12
182
Davide Appollonio
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h00'16
183
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 4h00'20
184
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
+ 4h01'25
185
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4h03'47
186
Aidis Kruopis
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h04'56
187
Greg Henderson
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h10'51
188
Martial Pignol
Sojasun
+ 4h15'11
189
Benjamin Giraud
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h17'42
190
Christophe Laborie
Sojasun
+ 4h26'32
191
Benoit Drujon
FDJ.fr
+ 4h33'16
192
Alexey Pashinin
Astana Pro Team
+ 4h45'42
193
Anuar Manan
Sojasun
+ 4h48'48
194
Sébastien Chavanel
FDJ.fr
+ 4h53'39
195
Charly Berry
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5h01'17
196
Jaak Wijckmans
Lotto Belisol
+ 5h28'05
Tour Talk
I need damage control, right away! Tomorrow I have to get over the Galibier and on to a summit finish.
I don't know why Froome was on my skin so much, trying to irritate me. The only pleasure I get out of today's stage is that he lost his 2nd place. How's that for trying to annoy me, Mr. Froome?
But it was so hard today.
I can't afford to collapse right now. I need to keep my spirit up. Yet I feel it's been broken today.
Tomorrow I need to be back. I can't slip up now.
Not now.
Not much longer for Henry, and hopefully he can hold that advantage.
May I be the first to say I've loved reading this whole tour, and it seems you've loved writing it (if I am not mistaken) and a combination like that can go a long way, and I hope this story does too!!
sutty68 - That's true! I'm not giving up that easily.
The Hobbit - Thanks a lot for your comment, really made my day You're certainly not mistaken, I really loved writing it. Maybe it was even my most fun story writing experience ever. So far I have loved the thrill and the excitement of this Tour, and of course the way Henry has performed. Only 2 stages left and then it'll be over. But the story will go on for a long time to come, I think
Van Impe got to work on me.
Mental coaching at its best.
In one night, he tried to transform me back to the winner I was before yesterday's stage.
Tour de France - Stage 20
For me, the Queen's stage. 230 kilometers, Croix Fer, Galibier, Granon. This is not a stage to take lightly.
Fortunately, that's exactly what I am, light. Today I decided to use that advantage against time trialist Froome and aging Valverde.
The Race
Just one more big effort, that's all I asked of my team today. They granted me this final favor and thinned out the pack.
Froome would be strong tomorrow. What I needed to do, was to get to work on him today. Tire him out, try to blow his legs, so he'll feel it tomorrow.
This is my terrain. For the first time this Tour, I started with a yellow bike and helmet, to match this jersey.
The reason for that is simple:
Today I felt worthy of the Maillot Jaune for the first time.
These mountains are mine. With 60 kilometers to go, I left my team mates behind. They were at their last bit of energy. It was up to me. I've always wanted to attack in the Maillot Jaune. On the Télégraphe, my dream came true!
And we're back to the very first mountain stages. Me, Valverde, Froome, Schleck, Rodriguez.
Only this time I have grown. This Tour is now part of my life. I am so proud to take Souvenir Henri Desgrange.
In the downhill, I started recuperating. No point in taking any risks now. This allowed Herklotz and Meintjes to return. After all they've already done for me, they still wanted to do more. They came back to help defend this jersey.
Col de Granon, I have some great memories here. I know this climb.
Today, I wanted to own this climb. I quickly senses Valverde had taken his shot yesterday, he was a little off today. Froome was good, but he wasn't the Froome we're used to. If I ever would have a chance to take any more time before the time trial, I'd have to react fast!
I only dared looking behind me after about a kilometer. I was stunned.
I was all alone, gone. Just me, my Maillot Jaune and thousands of screaming fans. All going crazy for this French 24 year old climbing to victory in stage 20 of the Tour.
Unbelievable. By taking this beautiful victory, I may have well just won the Tour de France here. Froome didn't crack completely, but I gain more time. I will never doubt again, the mountains are my friends!
Froome got second in a tight finish photo with the running Belgian fan. Though I still think his flag crossed the line first...
But my plan had worked. I had won, I had taken time, and -most of all- I had hurt Froome, maybe bad enough to decrease his chances of overtaking me tomorrow.
Result
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
6h32'49
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 45
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 2'43
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2'56
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'52
6
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 5'49
7
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
8
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
s.t.
9
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 6'49
10
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
88h25'11
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 2'59
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 4'37
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 10'46
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 16'57
6
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 17'51
7
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 21'09
8
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 22'54
9
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 23'29
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 30'14
I know one thing that's for sure, though. Whatever happens tomorrow, I'm taking home the Mountain Jersey and the Young Jersey!!
Tour Talk
One more day. One more race. 30 kilometers left. 3 minutes lead.
I can't lose more than 1 minute per 10 kilometers on Froome.
That's 6 seconds per kilometer.
Froome is a master of this discipline.
I am riding around on adrenaline in this jersey.
Tomorrow we will know who wins this Tour de France 2015. Will it be Froome for the third time in a row? Or me, Henry Vergnaud, aged 24, two time winner of Paris - Nice, the first French winner since 1985?
Only 30 kilometers separate me from eternal glory.
Henry
What about talking to Fignon beforehand, see how to go at this tactically?
No but seriously, what a Victory! Attacking like that in the yellow jersey, simply incredible!
Dippofix - Fignon, that'll be bad influence on a final time trial he's the one that sank France in this depression. Though I think he's dead in real life attacking in the yellow jersey was something I always love to do
Jesleyh - 67 (he actually dropped one, I took it down when his MO raised to 81). Froome is at 83 I think. Will be hard but I think it should be enough.
sutty68 - Sure is
Mresuperstar - I must say Henry is in a different league than Travis indeed Henry on his way to write history, Travis on his way to write a goodbye letter in a way I'm glad, it's impossible to compare both stories so that spares us pointless discussions of which one is better Thanks for dropping in, didn't know you were still following!
Please, please... what a legendary stage. Loved the reporting, the pictures, the atmosphere from the previous stage... It's here for the taking, just grab it.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
thanks for the many comments! Keeps me even more motivated than I already am 
Tour de France - Stage 19 
