The attack move looked a lot like his attack earlier this week in Stage 14 . . . and produced the same winning result for S. Kragh Andersen

By Chuck Gibson (Interview quotes provided by Le Tour de France)

INTERNATIONAL (September 18, 2020) – This was a solo break for the rider from Denmark and Andersen left some of the best and strongest riders of the Tour de France looking at each other as he rode away.

In the group Andersen left behind were top sprinters everyone expected to sprint for the win at the end. Peter Sagan was looking to out-sprint Sam Bennett and gain sprinter points in the competition, but never made a counter-attack to chase down Andersen. Bennett still beat Sagan to the finish line, but they were 8th and 9th to finish, with Bennett securing the win for the sprinters overall title this year. Second place on the day went to Luka Mezgec :53 seconds behind the winner. He also finished second to Andersen on Stage 14.

Soren Kragh Andersen ride to victory in Stage 19 of Tour de France (Provided)

“IT’S INCREDIBLE TO BEAT SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST RIDERS,” said Andersen.  “I have to say that, in the last kilometers, I was actually screaming in pure disbelief. I got two stage wins on the same Tour de France… It’s incredible. I’m speechless. This is a memory I will carry in my mind for the rest of my life.”

More memories are bound to be made tomorrow. Primoz Roglic held onto the Yellow Jersey and the overall race lead with fellow countryman Tadej Pogacar still in second place less than a minute behind. For the last couple days, the prediction has been the Saturday uphill Time Trial will decide the Yellow Jersey. Indeed, it has come down to the TT tomorrow.  

“IT WOULD BE UNBELIEVABLE IF I’D WIN THE TOUR DE FRANCE TOMORROW,” said Pogacar. “It’s an ITT, so I’ll go full gas from start to finish, like I do always. It’s not about making priorities. It doesn’t matter on which order we start tomorrow: it’s an ITT and everyone will be alone out there, fighting for himself. It’s a secret if I am going to swap bikes tomorrow [before the final climb]: if I tell now, everyone will know!”

Intesnity on the face of Yellow Jersey, race leader, Primoz Roglic (Provided)

“After three weeks of racing, I pretty much know where I’m sitting and what my place will be on the ITT,” said Roglic, the race leader. “Of course, the final climb is very hard. It will be about being strong and giving it all. I will really consider changing bikes for the final climb until the last moment. It will depend on everything, on what the conditions are and such.”

It all comes down to the Saturday Time Trial – Stage 20 of a 21 Stage Tour. No matter who wins, this has been a grueling and most memorable Tour de France by all accounts.

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