Welcome to live coverage of stage 19 of the Tour de France - a short but brutal 110km ride from Modane Valfrejus to Alpe d'Huez.

The nine-man Evans chasing group are going well. They are just 27 down on the leaders, who have been joined by Sanchez. Evans has ridden today and yesterday tremendously given the circumstances. The Basso group is 1:20 down while the yellow jersey group is 2:00 back. The grupetto, which includes the likes of green jersey rivals Cavendish and Rojas, is 12 minutes back, with the cut off estimated to be around 18 minutes today.

Sanchez is just 15 seconds down on the leaders, with the Evans group riding at 38 seconds. It may come back together before the final climb to Alpe d'Huez.

The Voeckler group has been joined by Sky's Geraint Thomas, which suggests Uran has popped. Europcar may lose yellow today, but they should gain white for Rolland - which is precisely why the French youngster has not stopped to help his leader.

Reminder of the Galibier summit positions: 1. A Schleck, 2. Contador, 3. Costa, 4. Riblon, 5. Sanchez, 6. Hesjedal. If he's not in yellow, he'll be in polka dots tonight, Schleck.

Contador leads the descent with Schleck right in his wheel. A phrase one should be able to copy and paste a lot. They have 1:45 over Voeckler, but Sanchez isn't too far back. Garmin's Hesjedal is riding just out in front of the Evans chasing group. They have the likes of Velits, Cunego, Danielson, Casar, Jeannesson and Rolland with them.

Voeckler takes a 'sticky bidon' from his team car and then immediately throws it on the road in frustration. He's losing his yellow jersey today, that's for sure. And with it, probably a place in the top five.

Schleck takes the points at the top of the Col du Galibier just ahead of the tunnel on the summit. The Evans group is 34 down, Basso 1:04 down and the Voeckler group 1:35 down.

The four leaders only have 45 seconds on the Evans chasing group. The Australian is riding himself back into this Tour... Chapeau.

Anthony Charteau drops to help Voeckler, who has Jerome now as well - but Rolland continues because he's looking good for the white jersey and a top ten finish. Rolland is with Evans and Frank Schleck. They are closing in on Sanchez. Italians Cunego and Basso are further back.

ATTACK: Now Evans goes! And Voeckler has popped! And none of his team-mates are waiting...

ATTACK: Sanchez attacks from the 15-man chasing group.

The four leaders - which include Contador and Andy Schleck - have 1:10 over the chasing group. Evans is driving the pace, with Frank Schleck in his wheel, understandably doing nothing. Sanchez is right behind, with an exhausted Voeckler in his wheel, alongside Rolland.

Voeckler is caught by the chasing group - which is wise, because he has both Rolland and Vincent Jerome in support. Charteau as well. Evans is setting the pace, and Basso is suffering off the back!

Voeckler is pretty cooked. He's a minute down and pedalling squares. The 'peloton' is in fact the grupetto, with Evans driving a fierce pace. In fact, they're going to catch Voeckler pretty soon now.

Sylvain Chavanel is being distanced, while the white jersey Taaramae is feeling the pinch. That could be good news for Rigoberto Uran and Rolland.

Voeckler's Europcar vehicle draws up alongside the yellow jersey to offer some words of encouragement. He's still a minute ahead of the peloton, but 45 seconds down on the leaders. He really needs Rolland - perhaps he should sit up and wait for the cavalry?

BMC still on the front, with Basso and Szmyd of Liquigas just behind. Then we have Frank Schleck and another Leopard Trek rider, Europcar's Pierre Rolland and the others.

Voeckler is tiring - the gap is now 45 seconds asd he catches Izagirre.

Voeckler looks over and up at the leaders, who have dropped Izagirre. The Frenchman is 33 seconds behind as Schleck finally comes to the front to give Contador a hand. The peloton, with all the other GC favourites, are around 1:48 down. That makes Evans about 2:30 down on Andy Schleck - which is too much for him to make up in the time trial tomorrow.

Voeckler can see the leading five riders up ahead, who are being led by Contador, with Schleck right in his wheel. When was the last time we saw a rider defend the yellow jersey with such panache, heart and pride?

Andy Schech's performance yesterday prompted out blogger Blazin' Saddles to write an apology towards the Luxembourg rider. Why not have a look?