Tour de France

Friday’s stage: A 102.8-mile mostly flat stage from Roanne to Montlucon that favored sprinters.

Winner: French rider Sylvain Chavanel took the stage in a sprint finish with countryman Jeremy Roy, who was second. Both completed the distance in 3 hours 37 minutes 9 seconds. Germany’s Gerald Ciolek was 1:13 behind in third place.

Yellow jersey: Spanish rider Carlos Sastre kept the overall lead, topping Team CSC teammate Frank Schleck of Luxembourg by 1:24. Bernhard Kohl of Austria is third, another nine seconds back. Sastre’s main rival, Cadel Evans of Australia, is fourth, 1:34 off the lead heading into today’s decisive time trial.

Quote of the day: “Tomorrow will be the opportunity of my life” -- Sastre, whose previous best Tour finish was third.

*--* STAGE 19 RESULTS 1. Sylvain Chavanel, France: 3:37:09 2. Jeremy Roy, France: same time 3. Gerald Ciolek, Germany: 1:13 behind 4. Erik Zabel, Germany: same time 5. Heinrich Haussler, Gerolsteiner: same time *--*

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*--* OVERALL STANDINGS 1. Carlos Sastre, Spain: 82:54:36 2. Frank Schleck, Luxembourg: 1:24 behind 3. Bernhard Kohl, Austria: 1:33 behind 4. Cadel Evans, Australia: 1:34 behind 5. Denis Menchov, Russia: 2:39 behind *--*