Spain’s Jon Izaguirre made a daredevil descent of the Col de Joux Plane to win the 20th stage of the Tour de France in Morzine today.
Jon Izaguirre wins stage 20 of the Tour de France today. Photo: SuperSport
The Movistar rider left breakaway companions Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) behind on the wet downhill to take the stage – a 146.5km ride from Megève to Morzine – in 4:06:45.
Pantano, from Spain, and Nibali, from Italy, finished second and third.
The Brit Chris Froome (Sky), who holds a 4:05 lead over France’s Romain Bardet (AG2R) going into the final stage to Paris tomorrow, looks set to win his third Tour de France title. Colombia’s Nairo Quintana (Movistar), who is 4:21 behind, should finish third to collect his third podium in three starts after finishing second twice.
Chris Froome all but seals the overall Tour de France victory after stage 20 today. Photo: SuperSport
“To win solo at the Tour de France is a big victory,” said Izaguirre, who was equally happy with his team-mate’s podium finish in the general classification.
He also pointed out the quality of the riders – all with reputations for climbing and descending well – that he beat on a day that the heavens opended over the Tour de France.
Izaguirre will now head for Rio, where he will represent Spain in the Olympic Games road race.
Stage 20 results
1. Ion Izagirre (Movistar Team) 4:06:45
2. Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) 19″
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana Pro Team) 42″
4. Julian Alaphilippe (Etixx – Quick-Step) 49″
5. Rui Costa (Lampre – Merida) 1’43”
6. Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff Team) 1’44”
7. Wilco Kelderman (Team LottoNl-Jumbo) 2’30”
8. Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) 3’24”
9. Daniel Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step) 4’12”
10. Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale)
Selected
14. Louis Meintjes (Lampre – Merida)
50. Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) 14’33”
138. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Dimension Data)
General classification
1. Christopher Froome (Team Sky) 86:21:40
2. Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) 4’05”
3. Nairo Quintana (Movistar Team) 4’21”
4. Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) 4’42”
5. Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team) 5’17”
6. Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) 6’16”
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha) 6’58”
8. Louis Meintjes (Lampre – Merida)
9. Daniel Martin (Etixx – Quick-Step) 7’04”
10. Roman Kreuziger (Tinkoff Team) 7’11”
Selected
38. Daryl Impey (Orica-BikeExchange) 1:50:51
116. Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Dimension Data) 3:56:30
Points classification
1. Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Team) 440 points
2. Marcel Kittel (Etixx – Quick-Step) 228
3. Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange) 183
King of the Mountains
1. Rafal Majka (Tinkoff Team) 209 points
2. Thomas De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) 130
3. Jarlinson Pantano (IAM Cycling) 121
See Tour de France for more news, results and photos.
