Bonjour le Tour! Hello and welcome to live coverage of Julian Alaphilippe's second day of destiny as the Frenchman bids to defend his yellow jersey from Egan Bernal et al in Stage 19 of the Tour de France...

So, today's the day, with three leg-warming lower-category climbs ahead of the highest point of the Tour - the Col d'Iseran - a fast descent towards Val d'Isere, and then a gradual final Cat.1 climb to Tignes. It's only 126.5km but it's going to be action-packed and offensive from the outset.

Yesterday, Colombia’s Nairo Quintana soloed to Stage 18 glory in Valloire - and back into the top 10 - after a decisive attack from the break on the Col du Galibier as compatriot Egan Bernal moved above teammate Geraint Thomas into second place behind the battling yellow jersey Julian Alaphilippe.