Nibali turns clock back on Val Thorens as Bernal crowned king of Tour

Vincenzo Nibali celebrates a wonderful win. He battled with illness on this Tour and is past his best years. But he rode a fantastic stage today to win

Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain Merida) has turned the clock back on the shortened Alpine stage of the Tour de France today, winning stage 20 atop Val Thorens.

The Italian, who has won all three Grand Tours, went in the early breakaway and dropped them all.

He rode on his own for about 13km and just about held off the general classification group.

There were plenty of attacks after him but Nibali managed to hold a lead of about one minute all the way.

It wasn't until Mikel Landa (Movistar) attacked in the final kilometre that the gap closed significantly.

Alejandro Valverde then also attacked and caught and passed team mate Landa, but Nibali hung on.

He won the stage by 10 seconds from Valverde with Landa 3rd another four seconds back.

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The general classification gap splintered in the final kilometre and Egan Bernal and Geraint Thomas of Team Ineos came home in 4th and 5th places 17 second down on Nibalia.

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That sealed Bernal's win overall, with Thomas 2nd overall, with just the stage into Paris to come.

Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep), who only lost the yellow jersey to Bernal yesterday, was dropped early on the climb under the pressure applied by Jumbo Visma.

That ensured Steven Kruijswijk moved up to 3rd overall, with Alaphilippe dropping back to 5th overall.

Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) was 19th today, at 2:10; a pretty solid ride in what has been a below par Tour.

We'll have more later including news on Nicolas Roche of Team Sunweb.

Eventual stage winner Nibali, far right. in the early breakaway. He dropped all of the and held off the GC men to take the stage
Team Ineos assume control on the front in defence of Egan Bernal's yellow jersey
Jumbo Visma really ramped up the pace early on the climb to ensure Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck-QuickStep) was dropped so Steven Kruijswijk would move up to 3rd overall

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