Bahrain-Victorious' Matej Mohoric won stage 19 of the Tour de France, denying Mark Cavendish an opportunity to break the record for stage wins he shares with Eddy Merckx.

Cavendish had hoped to compete for a 35th stage win, but a breakaway of 20 riders left the peloton well behind.

Cavendish will get another chance in Sunday's final stage, which finishes on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar remains in the leader's yellow jersey.

Mohoric's second win of the Tour comes after his team's hotel was raided by French police on Wednesday over an allegation of doping.

He said after his win: "I was thinking mostly about what happened two days ago. You feel a bit like a criminal. It's a good thing the police are checking - of course they found nothing, because we have nothing to hide.

"But I'm a bit disappointed with the system - it's not a nice thing when police walk into into your room and start going through all your belongings.

"Even if you have nothing to hide it feels a bit weird when they go through your personal things, photos of your family, your phone and your messages."

The largely flat 207km stage into Libourne was expected to result in a sprint finish, with all eyes on Cavendish, who was warmly embraced by Belgian cycling legend Merckx at the start in Mourenx.

However, after a frenetic opening and early crashes involving Geraint Thomas, Rafal Majka, Enric Mas, Sonny Colbrelli and Cavendish, a large breakaway was allowed to escape by a peloton with little appetite to deliver a meaningful chase on the back of several punishing days in the Pyrenees.

And Mohoric delivered a replica of the superb solo attack that carried him to victory on stage seven, riding clear with 26km to go and extending his lead as the chasing group failed to organise themselves.

The peloton rolled home almost 21 minutes later, and Pogacar will defend a lead of five minutes and 45 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard in Saturday's 30.8km individual time trial from Libourne to Saint Emilion.

Race starts at 12.05 and betting disappeared on the winner SECTION
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All over to Cav now

Will they catch them

Can making his move to the front

P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E

Brilliant ride.

All went wrong for Cav, Brilliant from Wout

At least Cav should get another chance but obviously more difficult next year.

shame for cav - came to win it then the door closed

casemoney16 Jul 21 14:55Joined: 04 Aug 06 | Topic/replies: 38,714 | Blogger: casemoney's blog
Yes a Mountain Man wins a sprint stage , Breakaway were blown away , Slovenia Magic Carrots

Bar Cav tour has been a borefest  TBH

Case: If you think this tour has been a borefest. Then clearly cycling as a sport aint for you.imo.