Team Ineos rider Geraint Thomas said on Monday's rest day that he is "itching to go" ahead of the final week of racing at the 2019 Tour de France.

Second-placed Thomas gained 27 seconds on yellow jersey holder Julian Alaphilippe on Sunday's stage 15, as a late attack saw him distance the Frenchman towards the Prat d'Albis summit finish.

Three big mountain days are still left to race before the Tour's traditional conclusion in Paris, and Thomas will be intent on making further inroads into Alaphilippe's lead, which stands at one minute and 35 seconds.

On Saturday, the Welshman had lost crucial time on the Col du Tourmalet, but his response on Sunday kept him in contention as he bids to retain the Tour de France title.

Tuesday's 177 kilometre relatively flat stage 16 in Nimes is likely to see a bunch sprint finish.

Nimes, France. 22nd July 2019.

1. 00:00 Various of Geraint Thomas entering news conference

2. 00:15 Geraint Thomas (left), Team Ineos general manager Dave Brailsford (centre) and Egan Bernal (right) in news conference

3. 00:23 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About taking time out of Julian Alaphilippe's lead on Sunday and looking ahead to the Alps)

"We stick together. I think obviously yesterday (Sunday), I said on the radio that I didn't feel great coming into the last climb. As it turns out, I did feel great at the top. But, yeah, I think the main thing is, going into the Alps now, I feel motivated to get there and really try and finish this Tour off well. It has been slightly up and down here, for sure, and race compared to last year. But the main thing for me is that I finished strongly yesterday (Sunday), and I am really just itching to go now. I much prefer the Alps - I have got a lot better memories from there for obvious reasons. Yeah, I'm just looking forward to it."

4. 01:16 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About managing his effort to remain in contention overall and the soaring temperatures in France this week)

"Yeah, yesterday (Sunday), like I say, I finished really strongly so, yeah, it's not an issue. If that is my bad day, to lose 30 seconds on the Tourmalet, is quite a good day really. And like Dave (Brailsford) said, you win a Grand Tour by being good all the way through, and managing your effort all the way through, not going into that deep, deep red zone often - save that for the final day or two. So I feel like I have managed that effort really well so far and I'm feeling good for it. Yeah I'm looking forward to the Alps now and, altitude-wise like in training in Tenerife, a drop off of watts is never really as much as most people so I'm relishing that opportunity and the heat, it is the same for everyone. I have ridden in that heat Down Under (Australia) numerous times over the years and got used it, so it is no problem."

5. 02:23 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, Team Ineos rider:

(About Team Ineos' performances in this year's Tour de France)

"Egan (Bernal) is fifth and I am second. I think we are still doing pretty well. Ok, yeah, we are not in the yellow and we are not riding on the front all day everyday. But like Dave (Brailsford) said, there is more than one way to win the Tour and this situation is completely different, and we don't have to pull when there are other teams that want to do it as well. So I think we are still in a super strong position the boys as well... Dylan (van Barrle) for instance, has been incredible, the way he has been going this year. I think he has been one of the standout guys in our team. I think everyone has ups and downs and I think it is how you deal with that. But, yeah, I am confident that we are all in great shape and a great position, and looking forward to some big Alpine climbs."

6. 03:22 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, Team Ineos rider:

(About Nairo Quintana telling his team he was having some difficulties during the Col du Tourmalet, but Alejandro Valverde said that he did not mention anything)

"I think it is easier when you have good communication with the rest of the team. That has happened before, and he (Nairo Quintana) has always has been very honest. As a fellow Colombian, he told me that he was not in the best condition. I have been ahead of Nairo in the race. I think it is good for the race and for the teams (to have that competition and communication between riders). In my case, if I am ahead (in the race) maybe other riders could have some doubts, because a rider from Ineos is ahead and they do not want to help me out. I think there is a lot of strategy around, but again, the leader in our team is Geraint (Thomas) and we will give our all for him."

Tour de France leader and home favourite Julian Alaphilippe said on Monday's rest day that he and his team have "changed the plan" as he bids to preserve the "honour" of wearing the yellow jersey.

Quick-Step rider Alaphilippe has the weight of home expectation to become France's first Tour champion for 34 years, and that pressure showed during Sunday's stage 15 when current champion, Team Ineos' Thomas, gained 27 seconds on the 27-year-old.

Alaphilippe is prepared to adapt his approach to stay out in front, with his lead over second-placed Thomas now at one minute and 35 seconds.

The Frenchman said that lead is "almost nothing", given the mountainous route the Tour will take before Sunday's traditional conclusion in Paris.

Tuesday's 177 kilometre relatively flat stage 16 in Nimes is likely to see a bunch sprint finish.

Nimes, France. 22nd July 2019.

1. 00:00 Julian Alaphilippe enters news conference

2. 00:07 Wide of news conference

3. 00:15 SOUNDBITE (English): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About how he will change his approach to preserve his lead in the yellow jersey)

"For sure, it is really a big honour to be in yellow during the Tour. So we have changed the plan and we defend it. I give everything every day, like you see. I don't go in a breakaway now. I ride like the leader of the Tour de France, so I don't know what will happen over the next days, but for sure I will continue to defend the jersey. My team also, like yesterday (Sunday), they did a really great job again and I am looking forward to starting the last week."

4. 01:01 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About the difficult stages which lie ahead in the Alps)

"The more we move closer to Paris, the more my feeling is different and special. I am realistic about the fact that there are only difficult stages ahead. I already knew this situation before. I did not stop saying that the hardest was still to come. It started at the Tourmalet where I really surprised myself. Yesterday (Sunday), we saw that it was a very difficult stage too. It will be hard until the end. I don't want to dream but I'm sure I'll do my best."

5. 01:36 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About how his lead remains a precarious one ahead of the final week of racing)

"One minute and 30 seconds advantage is a lot and, at the same time, nothing considering the next few stages. It is possible to have a failure and lose so much time in a (mountain) pass of 15, 20 per cent or even more, because the stage of Val Thorens is such a difficult climb to the summit. When you look at the profile of the next stages, a lead of one minute 30 seconds is almost nothing."

6. 02:01 SOUNDBITE (French): Julian Alaphilippe, Quick-Step rider:

(About another Frenchman, Thibaut Pinot, and his approach in the mountains)

"Thibaut Pinot showed over the last few days that he is in exceptional form in the mountains. He can count on a very strong team (Groupama) around him. So I think he will continue to attack and ride in that way to make a difference. It is in his interest to do that."

The French president, François Holland, and French Olympic flag bearer, Teddy Riner, campaigned on Friday (4th August) for the Paris 2024 Olympic bid.

French president François Holland is in Rio for two days to campaign for the Paris 2024 Olympic bid.

The president explained that terrorism is a worldwide phenomena affecting "any country and any city" and that it will not deter France from biding for the Olympics to be held in Paris in 2024.

He also highlighted the fact that the last climate change conference was held in Paris just days after the November terrorist attack in Paris.

Teddy Riner, France's flag bearer, also talked at the event held in Club France, a place were all the French supporters can gather to celebrate together.

The 27 year old judoka is a two time Olympic medallist and the number 1 ranked judoka in men's heavyweight +100 Kg.

Riner also holds a record of eight world titles and won bronze at the 2008 Olympics and gold at the 2012 Games.

He has not lost a match since September 2010 and is the favourite to win gold at Rio 2016.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 5th August, 2016.

1. 00:00 Wide shot of press room.

2. 00:05 Close up of of French President François Holland arrival pan on French flag bearer Teddy Riner.

3. 00:21 Medium shot of French President and Flag bearer on stage.

4. 00:27 wide shot same action.

5. 00:32 Close up on Teddy Riner French Flag bearer.

6. 00:39 Wide shot pan right to left.

7. 00:50 Close up on Teddy Riner getting to speak.

8. 01:02 Cutaway shot of France Olympic logo.

9. 01:06 SOUNDBITE: (French) Teddy Riner, French Flag bearer:

(Q: Words of presentation of his role in Olympics):

"I would like to say that it's a real honour for me to be the French Flag bearer in this Rio 2016 Olympic games. It's amazing, I'm enjoying every moment, every day, I can tell you that it's something big for an athlete. My role is to support all my team-mates in the French delegation. And our goal, all French athletes will be to make sound "the Marseillaise" every time we can (national anthem). That is our mission."

10. 01:38 Cutaway shot of Club France logo

11. 01:45 SOUNDBITE: (French) François Holland, French president:

(Q: Words on Paris 2014 Olympic candidacy):

"So can France organise a big event like the Olympic games with top security? We need to remind you that any country, any city faces the danger of terrorism. No one can be exempt of their responsibility to fight terrorism. I will say also that we're able to organise big events even if we had been attacked and we have got some experience in these kinds of situations. By the way we have organised a few big events this year like the Paris Marathon, Roland Garros, Tour de France, and more recently the UEFA Euro 2016. We have also been able to organise a huge climate conference, attended by all heads of state, in Paris a few days after the November 2016 attack. So are we really not able to organise these Olympics in Paris in 2024 in full security? Of course yes, this is the challenge that we want to take."

12. 02:56 Cutaway shot.

13. 03:01 Close up of French president after speech.

14. 03:13 Medium shot of president and French bearer getting out of stage.

15. 03:25 Wide shot of press room.

16. 03:30 Close up of French president taking pictures with crowd.

SOURCE: SNTV.

DURATION: 03:40.