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."

Nairo Quintana insisted on Monday (10th July) that he did not regret taking part in the Giro d'Italia, even if it has had a negative impact on his Tour de France campaign.

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

After a frantic start to the 2017 edition of the Tour de France, Monday was a welcome rest day for the riders.

Stage 9 on Sunday (9th July) was one of the most eventful in the illustrious history of the event, with Geraint Thomas and Richie Porte among the big names to suffer serious crashes - the latter breaking both his pelvis and collarbone in a horror collision.

Three-time former Champion Chris Froome is currently in possession of the leader's yellow jersey.

Despite enjoying their rest day in the Dordogne region, Movistar team leader Nairo Quintana and his teammates went out on a two-hour cycle ride in the morning in a bid to keep the momentum of the Tour going.

Quintana is currently eighth in this year's Tour - 2 minutes and 13 seconds behind Froome.

He suffered badly during the mountain stage on Sunday, and admitted that he doesn't feel he has the power in his legs that he would like.

"I felt good yesterday and I continue to do so today, but it's evident that I'm not finding the same watts on my legs as I expected to do before the race. We all were convinced about my chances to shine right from the start, but at the end, it's only about the 'here' and 'now', and I didn't respond well."

The Colombian climber came into the Tour with plenty of optimism having changed his preparations, but may have to admit that the gamble of competing in the Giro D'Italia - where he finished second - has yet to pay off.

Stage 10 of the Tour de France will take place on Tuesday (11th July) between Perigueux and Bergerac.

Perigueux, France. 10th July, 2017

1. 00:00 Exterior hotel where the Movistar team is staying

2. 00:04 Hotel window

3. 00:08 Movistar vehicles in front of hotel

4. 00:12 Movistar sticker on side of vehicle

5. 00:16 Movistar mechanics truck

6. 00:20 Mechanic inside truck working on bike

7. 00:24 Bikes outside truck

8. 00:28 Bike wheels

9. 00:32 Bike frames with Tour de France bib numbers

10. 00:37 Wheels outside truck

11. 00:41 Team Movistar leader Nairo Quintana being greeted by fans

12. 00:52 Nairo Quintana taking pictures with fans

13. 00:58 Quintana walking towards truck

14. 01:04 Quintana and Movistar colleagues talking

15. 01:08 SOUNDBITE: (English) Andres Montoya, Tour de France fan from Colombia:

"It's amazing, it's amazing! You see only (the riders) on the TV and maybe if you are near to the race, the racers pass so fast. And now, here in the hotel, you meet the people, take the picture and make videos for Instagram. I don't know, it's the best, the best opportunity."

16. 01:32 Movistar riders Jonathan Castroviejo and Jasha Sutterlin on their bikes

17. 01:37 SOUNDBITE: (English) Claudia Stinfil, Tour de France fan from Colombia:

"Oh my god! Nairo Quintana! For us, as Colombians, we're very proud of him because he is one of our heroes, like a sport hero, you know, and the best thing about that guy, it's his humanity and he is a very humble guy."

18. 01:54 Movistar's Jasha Sutterlin signing autographs on Tour de France yellow jersey

19. 02:03 Movistar riders leaving hotel on their bikes

20. 02:19 Quintana leaving hotel on his bike

21. 02:29 Quintana arriving at press conference venue

22. 02:37 Quintana and Movistar's General Manager Eusebio Unzue at press conference table

23. 02:43 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Nairo Quintana, Team Movistar:

"Well, for my part, here we are on the first rest day. It is clear that now it is more about will than might. But we are still up for the fight, though, and we'll try to keep improving. We have lost some time until yesterday, and to be honest, it was only due to lack of energy. However, there's still a long way to go in this Tour, and we're so determined to do great things in what's to come."

24. 03:21 Cutaway cameraman

25. 03:27 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Nairo Quintana, Team Movistar:

(Q: If you had not taken part in the Giro d'Italia, would you be better placed today?)

"No, I do not regret it, it is clear that it is a bet you make and something different to do, we have many things to learn and many things that remain to one of what has happened and how we have always done for to get better."

26. 03:59 Cutaway photographer

27. 04:03 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Nairo Quintana, Team Movistar:

"I felt good yesterday and I continue to do so today, but it's evident that I'm not finding the same watts on my legs as I expected to do before the race. We all were convinced about my chances to shine right from the start, but at the end, it's only about the 'here' and 'now', and I didn't respond well."

28. 04:32 Cutaway

29. 04:36 SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Nairo Quintana, Team Movistar:

(Q: Can you still make the podium?)

"Well right now I dare not say anything, but if I can have a good day, anything could happen."

30. 04:53 Press conference breaks up

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 05:02