Froome boosts lead in Stage 19 of the Tour, as the riders close in on Paris

GervaislesBains (France), Jul 22 (EFE). Frenchman Romain Bardet on Friday won the Stage 19 of the 2016 Tour de France, a mountainous 146 kilometer (90 mile) run from Albertville to SaintGervaislesbains amid precarious weather conditions and crashes on the steep descents.

The 25 year old AG2R La Mondiale rider completed the stage in 4 hours, 14 minutes, 8 seconds, marking his second career stage win in the Grand Tour and climbing to second place in the general classifications.

Spaniards Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Team Katusha) and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Team) as well as South African rider Louis Meintjes (LampreMerida) followed the winner 23 seconds later.

Despite being forced to borrow a bike from Welsh teammate Geraint Thomas after suffering a fall, Briton Chris Froome (Team Sky) extended his lead in the overall classifications as the Tour moves closer to Sunday’s final Stage 20 which comes to an end on the Champs Elysee in Paris.

He ranked 4 minutes, 11 seconds ahead of Bardet and 4 minutes 27 ahead of Colombian Nairo Quintana (Team Movistar).

Fellow Briton Adam Yates (Orica Bikeexchange) dropped into fourth place.

Dutch rider, Tom Dumoulin was forced to abandon the 2016 Tour after taking a fall and breaking his wrist.

Saturday’s Stage 20 of the Tour features a 146.5 km (91 mile) mountainous run from Megeve to Avoriaz, offering the climbers a last chance to boost their rankings ahead of Sunday’s final stretch.