As it happened: Big breakaway fights for stage 19 as GC action pauses behind

That wraps things up for our live coverage of stage 19 but make sure to read our full race report below which includes a gallery of the day’s action. Also, look out for any news coming out of the race from our team on the ground in Italy and head to CN’s homepage to see all the results from a busy day of racing including, the Tour of Norway and RideLondon Classique. 

Giro d’Italia: Andrea Vendrame solos to stage 19 victory in Sappada

Here it is then, the beast that is stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia. 184km and two ascents of the hellish 18.1km Monte Grappa stand between the final GC standings of this year’s race.

This is where the final podium will be battles out by Dani Martínez (Bora-Hansgrohe), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), Ben O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) and Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain Victorious), with those further down the top 10 also possible candidates to move up should be gaps be massive.

For race leader Pogačar, it seems as though he has his eyes set on victory so expect UAE Team Emirates to be on full controlling duty so he can smash he way up the climbs and take a sixth stage win on debut to confirm his overall victory.  

Here’s what race leader Tadej Pogačar had to say after stage 19:

“I think it shows that everybody has respect to everyone and its not necessary. Nobody wants to pass Thomas in that kind of way so I hope he’s OK after the crash. 

“It was unfortunate after all day going in control and then this stupid moment in the end and I hope we can have a great show tomorrow,” he said after he and Rafał Majka knocked off the pace and waited after the Welshman crashed in the final.

Pogačar will burst into life again on stage 20 as he eyes a sixth stage win:

“If we have a chance. Today we were really conservative with the team, nobody spent too much energy and tomorrow is the last day of this Giro for us climbers. Its gonna be a lot of Slovenian flags, already today it was nice to see everybody.

“Of course the best win is to arrive solo but you never know. Maybe tomorrow someone will be stronger than me but we will try anyway.”

And here’s how the GC sits heading into the final day for GC action on a 184km route from Alpago to Bassano del Grappa which takes in a double ascent of the 18.1km climb. Again powered by FirstCycling.