There is a new name on top of the cycling world. Mads Pedersen, the 23-year-old Danish rider who had done little of note on the global stage bar his second place at last year’s Tour of Flanders, sparked the decisive attack towards the end of a long and brutal six-hour ride in relentless Yorkshire rain, and shook off the attentions of much-fancied rivals Mathieu van der Poel and Matteo Trentin to clinch his first world title.

The Dutchman Van der Poel was the pre-race favourite this morning but surprisingly he was the first of a leading quintet to crack, and looked utterly broken as he was swept up by the chasing peloton. It meant Trentin was the most high-profile rider left on the front, but the Italian seemed to have nothing in his legs as he tried to sprint for the line. Pedersen latched on to his wheel before thundering past to win by several lengths, and was mobbed on the line by the Danish team.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said afterwards. “We didn’t expect this when we started this morning. The plan was to get me out and get [Michael Valgren] Andersen and [Jakob] Fuglsang to come from behind. But they didn’t follow, so from there on it was survive, survive, survive, and then I went for it. I just hoped that when I saw the finish line all the pain would be gone and I could do a good sprint. Six and a half hours on the bike, so everyone was on the limit, so anything can happen in the sprint.”

Pedersen added: “It’s every rider’s dream to wear the rainbow jersey.”

The wild conditions took plenty of prisoners along the way and those that made it to the finish looked bedraggled and wet to the bone. But after the disqualification drama of Friday’s men’s U23 race and the stunning solo ride of the women’s elite edition, this had been something more formulaic. An 11-man breakaway quickly formed, packed with Grand Tour-winning quality like Primoz Roglic and Nairo Quintana, and they stayed away for much of the day.

Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France Show all 80 1 /80 Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Germany's Team Sunweb cycling team rides through the Saint-Hubert Royal Galleries on their way to the team presentation ceremony in Brussels on July 4, 2019, two days prior to the start of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race. - On Saturday, July 6, the 106th edition of the Tour de France will start with a 194.5km stage in the region of Brussels, 100 years after the introduction of the yellow jersey and 50 years after Belgian legend Eddy Merckx won his first Tour. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - (FromL) Dutch teammate Dylan Van Baarle, French rider Julian Alaphilippe and Danish rider Kasper Asgreen cycle in the Wall of Grammont - Mur de Grammont in the first stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Brussels and Brussels, Belgium, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Danish rider Jakob Fuglsang rides as he bleeds after a fall in the first stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Brussels and Brussels, Belgium, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / POOL / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Dutch rider Mike Teunissen (R) sprints with Slovak rider Peter Sagan (2ndL) to win the first stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Brussels and Brussels, Belgium, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Dutch rider Mike Teunissen wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey removes his helmet after winning with his teammates the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route, with Deceuninck and Ineos the favourites. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - French rider Julian Alaphilippe celebrates his victory as he crosses the finish line of the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, in Epernay on July 8, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Dutch rider Mike Teunissen wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey cools off after winning with his teammates the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Dutch rider Mike Teunissen (2ndR) wearing his overall leader's yellow jersey and teammates of Netherlands' Jumbo-Visma cycling team sprint to win on the finish line of the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Riders of Bahrain's Bahrain-Merida cycling team compete in the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Riders of Netherlands' Jumbo-Visma cycling team compete in the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - A French national flag flies ste on a convertible car as rider pass by during the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, on July 8, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Dutch rider Mike Teunissen (L) wearing his overall leader's yellow jersey celebrates their victory with a teammate of Netherlands' Jumbo-Visma cycling team on the finish line of the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Riders of Switzerland's Team Katusha Alpecin cycling team compete in the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides in the first stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Brussels and Brussels, Belgium, on July 6, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Riders of France's Groupama-FDJ cycling team compete with the triple arches of the Arcades du Cinquantenaire in background in the second stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27.6km team time-trial in Brussels, Belgium, on July 7, 2019. - Today's stage is a technically tricky team time trial with a 27.6km Brussels city-centre route. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides with the Cathedral of reims in background during the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, in Reims, on July 8, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides with wind turbines in background during the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, on July 8, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Yoann Offredo (L), Switzerland's Michael Schar (C) and Belgium's Frederik Backaert (R) ride as the breakaway group during the fourth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Reims and Nancy, eastern France, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - A woman cheers with pompoms from a car as the pack rides past during the fourth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Reims and Nancy, eastern France, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides during the fourth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Reims and Nancy, eastern France, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Spectators refresh themselves in a swimming pool as they watch cyclists riding during the fourth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Reims and Nancy, eastern France, on July 9, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - This photo taken with a tilt and shift lens shows the pack riding in the countryside during the third stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Binche and Epernay, on July 8, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Slovakia's Peter Sagan (2ndL), wearing the best sprinter's green jersey sprints with Belgium's Wout van Aert (L), wearing the best young's white jersey (L), to win few metres before the finish line of the fifth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Die-des-Vosges and Colmar, eastern France, in Colmar on July 10, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Slovakia's Peter Sagan, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the fifth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Die-des-Vosges and Colmar, eastern France, in Colmar on July 10, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey reacts after crossing the finish line of the sixth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Mulhouse and La Planche des Belles Filles, in La Planche des Belles Filles on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Netherlands' Dylan Groenewegen (C) sprints with Slovakia's Peter Sagan (2ndL), wearing the best sprinter's green jersey,and Australia's Caleb Ewan (L) to win on the finish line of the seventh stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Belfort and Chalon-sur-Saone, in Chalon-sur-Saone, eastern France, on July 12, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Netherlands' Dylan Groenewegen (3rdR) sprints with Slovakia's Peter Sagan (3rdL), wearing the best sprinter's green jersey, and Australia's Caleb Ewan (L) to win on the finish line of the seventh stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Belfort and Chalon-sur-Saone, in Chalon-sur-Saone, eastern France, on July 12, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclists ride on a square of Arbois, eastern France, during the seventh stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Belfort and Chalon-sur-Saone, on July 12, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclists cross a forest during the seventh stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Belfort and Chalon-sur-Saone, on July 12, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Belgium's Thomas De Gendt celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the eighth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Macon and Saint-Etienne, in Saint-Etienne, eastern France, on July 13, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclism enthusiasts react as one waves a French national flag in the Mur d'Aurec-sur-Loire during the ninth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Etienne and Brioude, on July 14, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclism enthusiasts wave French national flags as their cheer riders of a breakaway in the Mur d'Aurec-sur-Loire during the ninth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Etienne and Brioude, on July 14, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack crosses a city during the ninth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Etienne and Brioude, on July 14, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclists of the pack cross a bridge near the Viaduc de Garabit (Bridge of Garabit) in background during the tenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Flour and Albi, on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cyclism enthusiasts wait for riders near a pass during the eighth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Macon and Saint-Etienne, on July 13, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Belgium's Wout van Aert is congratulated by a teammate after winning the tenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Flour and Albi, on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Belgium's Wout van Aert (2ndR) sprints to win on the finish line of the tenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Flour and Albi, on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Belgium's Wout van Aert (2ndR) celebrates, past Australia's Caleb Ewan (L) and Italy's Elia Viviani (R), as he wins on the finish line of the tenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Flour and Albi, on July 15, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Australia's Caleb Ewan (frontL) wins past Netherlands' Dylan Groenewegen on the finish line of the eleventh stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Albi and Toulouse, in Toulouse on July 17, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides during the twelfth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Toulouse and Bagneres-de-Bigorre, on July 18, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Breakaway group rides up to the Col de Peyresourde (Peyresourde Pass) during the twelfth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Toulouse and Bagneres-de-Bigorre, on July 18, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Fans cheer as Italy's Matteo Trentin chases the leader of the breakaway during the twelfth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Toulouse and Bagneres-de-Bigorre, on July 18, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Great Britain's Simon Yates celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the twelfth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Toulouse and Bagneres-de-Bigorre, in Bagneres-de-Bigorre on July 18, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - A cycling fan dressed with a costume of a pink rabbit with a sign reading "Little Rabbit" waves on the roadside as a cycling team car pass by during the twelfth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Toulouse and Bagneres-de-Bigorre, on July 18, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP) (Photo credit should read JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images) ***BESTPIX*** AFP Contributor#AFP AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Thibaut Pinot crosses the finish line of the thirteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27,2-kilometer individual time-trial in Pau, on July 19, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Thibaut Pinot rides past fans during the thirteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27,2-kilometer individual time-trial in Pau, on July 19, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey crosses the finish line of the thirteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27,2-kilometer individual time-trial in Pau, on July 19, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD Getty Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey reacts after winning the thirteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, a 27,2-kilometer individual time-trial in Pau, on July 19, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO Getty Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cycling enthusiasts hold a placard reading "Go Julian Alaphilippe" as they react on the roadside during the fourteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Tarbes and Tourmalet Bareges, on July 20, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cycling enthusiasts takes pictures of riders during the fourteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Tarbes and Tourmalet Bareges, on July 20, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Thibaut Pinot celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the fourteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Tarbes and Tourmalet Bareges, in Tourmalet Bareges on July 20, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - French President Emmanuel Macron (C) applauds France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey crossing the finish line of the fourteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Tarbes and Tourmalet Bareges, in Tourmalet Bareges on July 20, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / POOL / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cycling enthusiasts wait for riders in the Tourmalet during the fourteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Tarbes and Tourmalet Bareges, on July 20, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe (C), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey and Great Britain's Geraint Thomas (R) ride during the fifteen stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Limoux and Foix Prat d'Albi, in Foix Prat d'Albi on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cycling enthusiasts wearing dresses with the Union Jack gesture on the roadside as they wait for riders during the fifteen stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Limoux and Foix Prat d'Albis, in Foix Prat d'Albis on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Fans cheer Great Britain's Simon Yates leadinf the race in the last kilometers during the fifteen stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Limoux and Foix Prat d'Albis, in Foix Prat d'Albis on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Cycling enthusiasts wearing polka dot jerseys takes pictures of Great Britain's Simon Yates during the fifteen stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Limoux and Foix Prat d'Albis, in Foix Prat d'Albis on July 21, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe (frontC), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey and cyclists cross the Pont du Gard during the sixteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Nimes and Nimes, in Nimes, on July 23, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Australia's Caleb Ewan (2ndL) celebrates, past Slovakia's Peter Sagan (2ndR), wearing the best sprinter's green jersey as he wins on the finish line of the sixteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Nimes and Nimes, in Nimes, on July 23, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - A French national flag flies past two fans as the pack pastses by during the sixteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Nimes and Nimes, in Nimes, on July 23, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe (frontR), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey reacts with a teammate past Great Britain's Geraint Thomas (frontL), as he crosses the finish line of the seventeenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Pont du Gard and Gap, in Gap, on July 24, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Slovakia's Peter Sagan, wearing the best sprinter's green jersey leads the race during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - The pack rides past the Lac of Serre-Poncon (Serre-Poncon lake) during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Nairo Quintana celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Stage winner Colombia's Nairo Quintana (C) celebrates his victory on the podium of the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - British fans cheer as France's Romain Bardet (L) and Canada's Michael Woods ride up during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Fans look at New Zealand's George Bennett after a fall during the eighteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Embrun and Valloire, in Valloire, on July 25, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Thibaut Pinot, in his team car, reacts after quitting the Tour during the nineteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Tignes, in Tignes, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Thibaut Pinot, in his team car, reacts after quitting the Tour de France due to a thigh problem during the nineteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Tignes, in Tignes, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey reacts after the race was stopped due to bad weather conditions in the last 20 kilometers during the nineteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Tignes, in Tignes, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - France's Julian Alaphilippe, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey reacts after he has lost his yellow jersey and the race was abandoned due to a massive hail storm that hit the last kilometres during the nineteenth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne and Tignes, in Tignes, on July 26, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Team Deceuninck rider France's Julian Alaphilippe (C) reacts after crossing the finish line of the twentieth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Albertville and Val Thorens, in Val Thorens, on July 27, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Italy's Vincenzo Nibali celebrates as he wins on the finish line of the twentieth stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Albertville and Val Thorens, in Val Thorens, on July 27, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (L) of Team Ineos wears the overall leader's yellow jersey as he passes with the pack past the pyramid of The Louvre Museum designed by Ieoh Ming Pei during the twenty-first and final stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysses in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Julien DE ROSA / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTIONJULIEN DE ROSA/AFP/Getty Images JULIEN DE ROSA AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (L), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey is congratulated by teammate Great Britain's Geraint Thomas as he celebrates his victory on the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (R), wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey is congratulated by his girlfriend Xiomy Guerrero as he celebrates his victory after crossing the finish line of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP)MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images MARTIN BUREAU AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombian fans cheer prior to the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (C) celebrates his overall leader's yellow jersey reacts as he poses with second-placed Great Britain's Geraint Thomas (L) and third-placed Netherlands' Steven Kruijswijk on the podium of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (R) is congratulated by second-placed Great Britain's Geraint Thomas as he celebrates his overall leader's yellow jersey on the podium of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP)MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP/Getty Images MARCO BERTORELLO AFP/Getty Images Best pictures from the 2019 Tour de France TOPSHOT - Colombia's Egan Bernal (C) celebrates his overall leader's yellow jersey on the podium of the 21st and last stage of the 106th edition of the Tour de France cycling race between Rambouillet and Paris Champs-Elysees, in Paris on July 28, 2019. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Images JEFF PACHOUD AFP/Getty Images

The route had earlier been truncated to avoid the worst of the weather, as officials swapped a couple of steep early hills for a couple more laps of the finishing circuit in Harrogate, and it was on arrival in the town that the breakaway was finally swallowed up.

There the Belgian leader Philippe Gilbert was immediately caught in a crash that ended his bid, and several other riders abandoned, including Britain’s Geraint Thomas and Ireland’s Dan Martin, as the peloton whittled down to a few committed to taking on the twisting Harrogate roads in treacherous conditions.