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The 19th Stage of the Tour de France, the longest of this year's race, is underway with Chris Froome in the overall lead. The 222.5-kilometer ride from Embrun in the Alps through Provence has three moderate climbs but should pose no major difficulties for the top riders and is likely to end with a mass sprint at the finish in Salon-de-Provence. (AP Photo)
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The last major challenge standing between Froome and a fourth Tour title is a time trial on Saturday, a discipline the Briton excels in. (AP Photo)
He has a lead of 23 seconds over French rider Romain Bardet and 29 seconds over Rigoberto Uran of Colombia. (Reuters) 
This year's Tour is not the tightest in the race history. (Reuters) 
In 1968, only 16 seconds separated the top three riders just three days before the finish. (AP Photo) 
The peloton heads out of the Alps during the longest stage of the 104th Tour. (AP Photo) 
It's not an easy ride as the first part of the 222.5-kilometer (138-mile) trek features several ups and downs that could favor a breakaway group. (AP Photo) 
But the last 50 kilometers towards the south coast are mainly flat, suggesting that a bunch sprint is more than likely. (Reuters) 
On the highest mountain-top finish of the 104th Tour de France, in a rocky moonscape where the air thins, only the hardiest organisms survive. (Reuters) 
A few pine trees, tough old grasses, some stubborn flowers and the challenging tour. (AP Photo) -
Cycling – The 104th Tour de France cycling race – The 222.5-km Stage 19 from Embrun to Salon-de-Provence, France – July 21, 2017 – The peloton in action. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
The peloton will soon reach Paris, but the race first heads south to the flavors and charms of Provence. (AP Photo) 
A large breakaway group of some 54 riders had gradually splintered by the time the stage leaders reached the start of the Izoard climb. (AP Photo) 
Only the hardiest pines survive at such high altitudes. And only the hardiest riders, too. (Reuters) 
The race ends Sunday in Paris. (AP Photo)
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