Tour de France 2019: Simon Yates wins three-up sprint, Alaphilippe still in yellow

The Tour de France heads into the Pyrenees on the twelfth day of action. After two intermediate climbs the race comes down to a three-up sprint. Simon Yates outperforms Pello Bilbao and Gregor Mühlberger in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, while Julian Alaphilippe stays in the GC lead. (Slideshow route/profile)

Results 12th stage Tour de France 2019

1. Simon Yates (gbr)
2. Pello Bilbao (spa) s.t.
3. Gregor Mühlberger (aut) s.t.
4. Tiesj Benoot (bel) + 1.28
5. Fabio Felline (ita) s.t.
6. Matteo Trentin (ita) s.t.
7. Oliver Naesen (bel) s.t.
8. Rui Costa (por) s.t.
9. Simon Clarke (aus) s.t.
10. Jasper Stuyven (bel) s.t.

Peloton: + 9.35

GC after stage 12
1. Julian Alaphilippe (fra)
2. Geraint Thomas (gbr) + 1.12
3. Egan Bernal (col) + 1.16
4. Steven Kruijswijk (nld) + 1.27
5. Emanuel Buchmann (ger) + 1.45
6. Enric Mas (spa) + 1.46
7. Adam Yates (gbr) + 1.47
8. Nairo Quintana (col) + 2.04
9. Daniel Martin (irl) + 2.09
10. Thibaut Pinot + 2.33

12. Rigoberto Uran (col) + 3.18
14. Romain Bardet (fra) + 3.20
15. Jakob Fuglsang (den) + 3.22
19. Richie Porte (aus) + 3.59
20. Mikel Landa (spa) + 4.15
21. Bauke Mollema (nld) + 4.25

Race report
At kilometre 45 a group of 40 riders opens up a gap. KOM leader Wellens, Yates (Simon), Frank, Roche, Mühlberger, Van Avermaet, Benoot, Bilbao, Sagan, Trentin, Clarke, Pauwels, Gallopin, Schachmann and Calmejane are on board.

Wellens pockets the only available mountain points at Côte de Montalieu-Saint-Bernard.

Calmejane heads out alone on the Peyresourde, but Wellens takes him back just before the summit. Pauwels reaches the crest in second, Calmejane in third.

Clarke strikes in the descent and he tackles La Hourquette d’Ancizan 1 minute ahead of the first chaser, Trentin, while Yates, Frank, Roche, Gallopin, Schachmann, Bilbao and Mühlberger try to track then down on the climb.

Trentin rejoins Clarke 5 kilometres before the top to leave him behind. Yates and Mühlberger gobble up the Italian to crest La Hourquette d’Ancizan 5 seconds before Bilbao. The Basque rejoins them early in the descent, while the first chasers are 1 minute behind. The peloton is 8 minutes in arrears.

The three extend their lead in the descent before the race comes down to a three-up sprint in Bagnères-de-Bigorre. Yates rides a perfect last corner to catapult himself into the best position to win the race.

Alaphilippe retains the yellow jersey as he finishes safely in the peloton, almost 10 minutes down on the race winner.

Another interesting read: route 12th stage 2019 Tour de France.