STORYLINE:

Defending champion Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish spoke about the route for the 2019 Tour de France after it was announced in Paris on Thursday (25th October).

SCRIPTING INFORMATION:

Next year's Tour de France will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the showcase race's iconic yellow jersey.

With France emerging from the carnage of World War I, the Tour offered its beacon of hope to the war-ravaged nation.

In 1919, the race leader's yellow jersey — which has become cycling's most iconic symbol — was introduced.

"It came straight out of the trenches, born from the rubble of a wounded France," Tour race director Christian Prudhomme said Thursday, unveiling the route for the July 6-28 race.

Joining Prudhomme on stage were five-time Tour winners Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain.

Only four riders, including Jacques Anquetil, have won five Tours; Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven titles for doping.

British rider Chris Froome will try to win his fifth title next year, but will have to depose his Team Sky teammate Geraint Thomas over the 3,460-kilometre (2,145-mile) race.

It features seven flat stages for sprinters, five hilly ones for all-rounders, seven mountain stages — five with summit finishes — one team time trial and one individual time trial.

The big climbs start in the Pyrenees before hitting the Alps.

The Tour has less of the Hors Categorie (Beyond Classification) climbs than before - those HC climbs are the most gruelling.

Instead, the race has more of the Category Two climbs — which are noticeably less difficult and favour attacking strategies.

Sky has won six of the past seven races, often controlling them in the mountains by easily repelling attacks.

This has given the team an aura of invincibility and the race a predictable tone.

With closer racing needed, the two time trials combine for a relatively low 54 kilometres, meaning specialists such as Froome have less chance to gain significant time advantages.

The race begins with a flat stage for sprinters around the city of Brussels and stays there the next day for the 27 kilometre team time trial.

After leaving Belgium, the Tour snakes through the Champagne and Lorraine regions.

Stage 4 for sprinters starts in Reims — the Champagne-producing city where 25 French kings were crowned in its cathedral.

With the race leaving the Alsace region, Stage 7 is the longest at 230 kilometres and made for sprinters.

The next day's stage is a hilly one, with several short but sharp climbs from Macon to Saint-Etienne.

The first rest day is July 16 in Albi in southern France, followed by a sprint stage before the Tour enters the high Pyrenees.

Stage 14 on July 20 features finishes with a climb up the Tourmalet pass, one of the most famed in Tour history.

Riders tackle three days of Alpine climbing on stages 18-20, featuring an ascent up the famed Galibier and imposing Iseran — standing 2,770 metres — and culminating with a relentless 33.4 kilometre trek up to the ski resort of Val Thorens.

After the weary peloton is flown towards Paris, the race ends the next day with its processional showcase stage on the Champs-Elysees.

Palais des Congres, Paris, France. 25th October 2018.

1. 00:00 Wide of cyclists walking on stage

2. 00:04 Mark Cavendish on stage

3. 00:10 Christopher Froome on stage

4. 00:19 Geraint Thomas on stage

5. 00:30 Froome and Thomas going back to their seats

6. 00:40 Geraint Thomas

7. 00:43 Christopher Froome

8. 00:47 Julian Alaphilippe

9. 00:51 Mark Cavendish

10. 00:57 Primoz Roglic

11. 01:01 Five-time Tour de France winners Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Indurain, Raymond Poulidor, French former professional bicycle racer known as "The Eternal Second", and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme

(UPSOUND Raymond Poulidor "Between us four we have won 15 Tour de France")

12. 01:09 Pan of Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Raymond Poulidor on stage

13. 01:21 Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme arriving on stage with map of Tour de France 2019 on large screen

14. 01:26 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

"It's solid, it's tough as ever, but it's hard to take in it all when it's so quick but there are some big stages, obviously a lot of climbs finishing over 2,000 metres, medium mountain days, you know, look hard as well so yes it's going to be a tough race."

15. 01:42 Close up Thomas' eyes

16. 01:47 SOUNDBITE (English) Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

"Yeah I think that will be really nice, I've raced in Belgium quite a lot before in the past, so yeah it will be nice to go back and obviously team time trial which we are normally pretty good at. It will be nice to try and try and win that for a change, rather than second and third, which we always seem to be."

17. 02:03 Geraint Thomas talking to journalists

18. 02:07 SOUNDBITE (English): Mark Cavendish, British sprinter who has won 30 Tour de France stages:

"It's flat enough for me, it's 21 flat dates isn't it, but yes, when you've got six or seven spin opportunities that's good, that's fair and there is that, you know. We've got the climbs. I think although there's more climbing, probably more altitude metres, it's still probably (doesn't finish sentence).... 2018 was near-on impossible to reach Paris for most of the sprinters - just the position of the climbs and the layout of the stages whereas here, though there's more climbing there's actually a better opportunity for us. If we work hard, we get to Paris. This year, it didn't matter how hard you worked physiologically, we'd never get to Paris. I was sick in the end, but I don't think even if I was well I wouldn't have reached it. It's quite nice next year - I'm looking forward to it."

19. 02:54 Tour de France presentation on large screen

20. 02:59 Cavendish watching presentation

21. 02:17 SOUNDBITE (English): Mark Cavendish, British sprinter who won 30 Tour de France stages:

"Yeah I hope so. Just back on my bike now. Yeah, there's enough time to get health... to get fit, as long as I'm healthy so I'm monitoring my health at the minute and we'll see where I'm at."

(Journalist: What does the Tour de France mean?)

It's everything for me. It's everything for every bike rider. Even guys who don't ride the road, professional track riders always dreamt of one point or another riding the Tour de France. For me it's everything, it's my career, it's what I've built everything on. It's what I'll continue to do. It's the only reason I still ride a bike now."

22. 03:30 Cavendish leaving

23. 03:35 Wide pan from audience clapping to stage

23. 03:42 Audience listening

SOURCE: SNTV

DURATION: 03:47

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."

One of the most open editions of the Tour de France in decades will resume on Tuesday with only 39 seconds separating five riders between second and sixth, all of them breathing down the necks of what appears to be a fading Julian Alaphilippe.

With so much focus on defending champion Geraint Thomas' time losses and the emerging French challenge, Steven Kruijswijk has managed to fly a little under the radar despite sitting just 12 seconds behind the Welshman.

Jumbo-Visma, despite losing Wout Van Aert to a crash and splitting their priorities between Kruijswijk and sprinter Dylan Groenewegen, have looked the strongest team in the mountains and Kruijswijk has been impressive if not explosive.

The 32-year-old Dutchman has finished fourth in the Giro and the Vuelta before amid a series of good results, but has never managed a Grand Tour podium.

Sommieres, France. 22nd July 2019

1. 00:00 Steven Kruijswijk at news conference

2. 00:07 Cutaway of Kruijswijk

3. 00:17 SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Kruijswijk, Jumbo-Visma

"All of them are quite hard and give a lot of opportunities but I have to say the further you come into the race, the fatigue will play a more important role. Especially the last day, it's a really hard stage the last Saturday and the final climb is 31 kilometres long and it's a horrible climb and I think if you look in the morning at the General Classification it's still not decided Saturday morning and we will see a great race on Saturday in the afternoon."

4. 01:00 SOUNDBITE (English) Steven Kruijswijk, Jumbo-Visma

"The last three stages we went for 10 days there (and) we stayed in Tignes and that final climb I did like seven or eight times I think. So that won't have any surprise for me. The other stages we saw one time but that's enough for me. Especially at this stage which finishes in Tigne and you go 2700 metres of altitude and that's going to be a really hard stage. It's a long uphill climb, fast descent and then again a hard finish. Hopefully (it'll be) my day."

5. 02:01 Cutaway of Kruijswijk

6. 02:10 SOUNDBITE (Dutch) Steven Kruijswijk, Jumbo-Visma

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7. 02:51 SOUNDBITE (Dutch) Steven Kruijswijk, Jumbo-Visma

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Defending champion Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal, the joint leaders of Team INEOS, joined general manager Dave Brailsford in Brussels on Friday and shared their thoughts on the eve of the 'Grand Depart' of the 2019 Tour de France.

Cycling's most prestigious race begins in the Belgian capital on Saturday, the 23rd time 'Le Tour' will have started outside France in its 116-year history.

Brussels, Belgium. 5th July, 2019

1. 00:00 Defending Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas walks in to press conference with INEOS teammates

2. 00:25 Cutaway cameraman

3. 00:28 Wide shot of Team INEOS general manager Dave Brailsford sitting down at press conference

4. 00:39 Cutaway media

5. 00:42 SOUNDBITE (English): Dave Brailsford, Team INEOS general manager:

(on the absence of 4-time Tour de France winner Chris Foome through injury)

"We've got two great leaders, of course it's a big disappointment for everybody that Chris isn't here and we wish him well on his road to recovery, but nonetheless you know, sport is sport and the new baseline, move forward, and I think with the group of  guys we've got here and these two either side, you couldn't want for a better team, I don't think. So, it's (an) extremely exciting prospect for us to get going and I guess we're all looking forward to it."

6. 01:12 SOUNDBITE (English): Dave Brailsford, Team INEOS general manager:

(on Chris Foome leaving hospital and the state of his injuries)

"He left hospital yesterday and so he transferred to home. So it's a big step and he's managed to actually put his feet on a floor for the first time for quite a long time actually, and you know, quite a few of the guys here have been to see him, been to visit him and I think everybody thinks he's in remarkable spirits really for the situation he found himself in, he's adjusted to it."

7. 01:39 Wide shot of press conference

8. 01:43 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on how he's feeling going into the Tour, condidering his own injury worries)  

"Feeling good. Training has been good. Obviously it's different to racing, but no, I feel in a good place and I think especially with the way the race is this year, a lot of the big days are towards the end, for sure. I think that'll help anyway but yeah, I'm happy with how I am, obviously it would've been nice to have finished the Swiss (Tour de Suisse) for sure, but it's just the way it was but still had some good training. Didn't miss anything really, so all good."

9. 02:11 Mid shot Brailsford (centre), flanked by Thomas to his right and Egan Bernal to his left

10. 02:18 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on whether there will be any friction between himself and Egan Bernal as joint team leaders)  

"I hope not (laughter). Hopefully one of us wins and it's really uneventful. For sure, when 'Froomie' (Chris Froome) is here, he's probably one of the greatest Grand Tour riders ever, you know, and yeah, he has that experience and I guess respect and aura in the peloton, so obviously it's a big shame. But you know we can't... That's what it is and it's us now and like Dave (Brailsford) said you know, it's a super-strong team and it's the same team as last year basically, other than no 'Froomie', which is obviously a big card to lose, but you know Dylan (Dylan van Baarle) instead and yeah, I think it's still strong. We all know what to do and yeah, well try to enjoy it and do as we do every year.

(Q: You won't change your approach then?)

"I don't think so. I think you know, it's obviously slightly different. You know, rather than hoping to have three or four right in the final (run to the end of a stage), we might just have three, but we'll see."

11. 03:35 Wide shot of press conference

12. 03:38 SOUNDBITE (English): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

(on being ready for the mountain stages)

"I don't look too much at the analytics but yeah, I think that for me will be a good point because I live in Colombia and had to do (a lot of training in the mountains) and I hope to be ready for this stage. I think that for me it will be something...

(Q: Has your family always lived at altitude?)

"Yeah, yeah. Always."

13. 04:05 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on his relationship with Egan Bernal and who he sees as being strong contenders for the Tour de France title)

"We're not rivals. I think... there are a lot of good guys... Obviously Fuglsang (Jakob Fuglsang of Astana) stands out. He's had an incredible year. Him and Astana in general, unbelievable how they've been going and I think the 'Yateses' (Adam Yates and his brother Simon, both of Mitchelton-Scott) will be strong, Richie (Richie Porte of Trek-Segafredo), Jumbo-Visma have been good all year, you know, Nibali (Vincenzo Nibali of Bahrain Merida), Movistar, I think... there's a lot of guys who stand out, so yeah. I think we're not going to... we're just trying it as always. We won't just race and look at one guy. We'll just... yeah, treat it as always."

14. 04:47 SOUNDBITE (Spanish): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

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15. 05:07 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on Julian Alaphilippe of Deceuninck-Quick-Step, currently top of the UCI rankings)

"He's had an incredible year so far, I think he's been on the podium every race he's done, so if he sticks to that he'll be there. But if he's a couple of steps below me and Egan, that will be nice, but I think yeah, he's is in the form of his life, you know, he's going as best he's gone, he's got a super team around him, so for sure he's going to be right up there."

16. 05:29 SOUNDBITE (English): Geraint Thomas, 2018 Tour de France winner:

(on winning the title in 2018 and trying to enjoy this year's race)

"You know, I had such a great race last year. Amazing experience and I'd love to experience that again. Yeah, but I think it also takes a bit pressure off because I've done it now and as I've always said, I wanted that one race where no bad luck and nothing to just go wrong and I had that and it was amazing and I don't feel I've got to prove anything, even though some people have said you know, I've been a bit of a 'one hit wonder' and stuff and it's a pretty good hit to have, if that's all you're going to have, so... But it's just, I'm just going to enjoy it, you know, and we've got a great team, myself and Egan can hopefully both be there in the finals and just race well and communication and all that and what will be will be.

17. 06:14 SOUNDBITE (English): Egan Bernal, joint leader, Team INEOS:

(on the support that he gets from his teammates)

"Well, I think that yeah, I'm really young to be like you say, a 'GC' (General Classification) rider, but I have a team with a lot of experience and it is for me, it's a little bit easier when you have some teammates that you can follow, you know? I'm just, like in the other race, I just follow them and they put me in a good position and in the final... I try to do my best, but yeah, with a team like this, I think that for me it's a little bit easier."