Arensman wins Tour de France 19th stage as UAE Team Emirates XRG's Pogacar retains yellow jersey

Dutch rider Thymen Arensman picked up a second stage win at the Tour de France on Friday, winning stage 19 at La Plagne ski resort as defending champion Tadej Pogacar closed in on a fourth title.

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Arensman crossed the finish line exhausted but delirious in the heavy rain, two seconds ahead of title contender Jonas Vingegaard and his great rival Pogacar.

Barring a collapse, Team UAE rider Pogacar should claim his fourth Tour de France title aged just 26 years in Paris on Sunday.

The attack-minded Pogacar explained how he had played it safe with just two days left until the race finish on the Champs Elysees.

"When Arensman attacked I let him go, setting my own rhythm. It was close, I did want to win, but I'm just glad it's over," Pogacar said.

"It was a good win from Thymen, he deserved it."

The Slovenian exits the Alps with a lead of 4min 24sec on second-placed Vingegaard.

Vingegaard for once finished ahead of Pogacar, but this was a fourth second-place finish on this 21-day slog.