Alaphilippe might have been able to catch him on the descent, but the weather had other ideas. There was too much hail and rain which caused mudslides across the descending road of the Col d’Iseran.
The decision was made to stop the race and give the times as they were atop the Col d’Iseran. There will not be a stage winner. Egan Bernal of Colombia will be presented the yellow jersey. Riders are going by car to the finish in Tignes.
Julian Alaphilippe reacts to today’s events: “I gave everything, I was beaten by stronger riders. It was a dream to wear the yellow jersey. It was longer than I could have imagined. I gave the maximum. I didn’t dream that I would go on to win the Tour but I fought to the summit and on the descent too. I was carried along by the craziness of the yellow jersey. The result doesn’t matter much, I gave everything.”
In 1996 it was snowing on the Iseran the morning of the race. After much confusion, the race directed people all over the place, depending on their role, such as mechanics, journalists, etc. Finally upon reaching the Col du Galibier, the wind was howling about 90 mph and it was snowing. Riders got in cars and drove over the Galibier. The race finally re-started in the valley and Bjarne Riis won the climb to Sestriere.
