Chavanel Wins 19th Stage of Tour De France

Cofidis rider Sylvain Chavanel won the 19th stage of the Tour de France, a 165.5-km ride from Roanne to Montlucon.

Carlos Sastre retained the yellow jersey as Cofidis rider Sylvain Chavanel outsprinted fellow Frenchman Jeremy Roy to win the stage 19 of the Tour de France. After finishing among the peloton CSC rider Sastre retains his 1min 24sec lead over his team-mate Frank Schleck going into into Saturday's 53km time-trial.

Chavanel broke away from the peloton shortly after the half-way point of the 165.5-km ride from Roanne to Montlucon and was joined by Roy 3km later. The pair established a 2min 12sec gap with 80km to go and extended that to over five minutes at one point before eventually finishing 1min 13sec clear, with Chavanel barely outlasting Roy to secure his first Tour stage win.

"I was frustrated because I had been trying so hard and every time I had failed," said Chavanel, who will join the Quick Step team next season. "This year, I have overcome a barrier. It's the best gift I could offer Cofidis."

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