Evans and Schleck primed for time-trial showdown

NICOLAS ROCHE paid for his exertions on Thursday when he came in over 25 minutes down on stage winner Pierre Rolland (Europcar) on yesterday’s gruelling 109 kilometre stage 19 of the Tour de France from Modane to the ski station at Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps.

The Irishman slipped back to 26th overall on the general classification, 40 minutes down on the new leader of the race, Luxembourger Andy Schleck (Leopard-Trek) who crossed the line in ninth place in a five-man group containing those most likely to usurp him of the maillot jaune.

Incidentally, one of those is his older brother and team-mate Frank, who trails by 53 seconds, but more worryingly, Australian powerhouse Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) is just a further four seconds back.