Stage 19, the last shot for the breakaway artists?

I might prefer the term "headbanger." Nothing like riding off the front of the hardest race in the world for 160km. Today's stage, a "transition" stage that will take the race to the foothills near the brutal Mont Ventoux, could be one for those opportunists who need to get their team some airtime.

Looking at which teams have neither a stage win nor a day in a jersey, that means that Silence-Lotto, Rabobank, Quick Step, Cofidis, Garmin, Francaise Des Jeux, Lampre, Milram, and Skil-Shimano are bound to be throwing down the attacks the moment they pass kilometer zero. Of those teams, Garmin is the only one that might hold back a few riders, as they still have a chance at a podium placing. The others need to get in their attacks right away and they can pretty much put everyone they've got left to the job.