2015 Tour de France results and standings, Stage 19: Vincenzo Nibali wins, shoots up GC standings

Vincenzo Nibali finally broke the long stretch of boring general classification stages, detaching from the peleton up Col de Fer, picking his way through chase groups and finally pulling away from Pierre Rolland on the final climb to La Toussuire. The win on Stage 19 was Nibali’s first of the 2015 Tour de France. He has regained form over the second half of the Tour, after a rough start to the defense of his 2014 title.

Nibali had to play heel to win the stage, however. Approaching the summit of Col de Fer, Chris Froome had to stop for a mechanical issue. Nibali looked back and noticed, and promptly accelerated -- an unsportsmanlike move in cycling. It was effective, but Nibali may have made enemies in the peleton.

Another perspective, however, is that Nibali should be applauded for finally making things interesting. Since Froome’s decisive climb up La Pierre-St. Martin, attacks against him have often been limp. Most disappointing has been Nairo Quintana, who seemingly has the most potential to hurt Froome on climbs, yet has been tentative to commit to an offensive.

Quintana was reportedly feeling less than 100 percent on Friday. He didn’t make his acceleration until six kilometers remained, though it was effective. He finished second by 44 seconds, taking 29 seconds from Froome. Perhaps enough to make Froome worry about his yellow jersey, but barring a legendary ride up Alpe d’Huez it’s hard to imagine Quintana ultimately standing on top of the podium.

Nibali, meanwhile, appeared to be a much different rider than the one that started the Tour three weeks ago. He soloed away from Rolland with 16 kilometers to go in the stage, and maintained a lead of two-plus minutes over the yellow jersey group until the final accelerations of the day. On Alpe d’Huez on Saturday, he may a chance to knock off Alejandro Valverde for a podium finish, now just 1:19 out of third place.

The stage began with fireworks -- not surprising given the days started on a Category 1 climb. Froome’s Sky lieutenants, Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte, struggled to stay with the peleton from the outset, perhaps the consequence of reeling in attack after attack since the start of July. Joaquim Rodriguez, Alberto Contador were able to stretch the peleton up the Col du Chaussy, along with Nibali.

Rodriguez took the first set of mountain top points, but then gave ground to Romain Bardet in the King of the Mountains competition. Bardet accelerated on the descent after the Col du Chaussy summit, riding away with Roberto Uran. Bardet was third over Col de la Croix de Fer, third over Col du Mollard and fifth at the finish to take the Maillot à Pois outright.

Froome was reportedly upset after the stage, potentially for several reasons -- a rough day of racing, Nibali’s unsportsmanship or the fact that he was spat on the final climb. He has a comfy lead on the standings for now, however. He should be smiling soon.