It took almost 100 kilometres for the day’s break to properly establish itself, and with names such as Groves, Tim Wellens, Matteo Jorgenson, Romain Gregoire, Matteo Trentin, Ewen Costiou, Pascal Een...

The roads were dangerously slippery after heavy rain.

There were the usual final-day pleasantries in the first half of the stage: group photos, friendly chats and a pace that any amateur could happily match.

The mountains are over, the Yellow Jersey is secured for Tadej Pogacar but there are still two stages left before the finish in Paris starting with Stage 20 between Nantua and Pontarlier.