Stage 19 is a treat for the sprinters – fast, comparatively short and, above all, flat. Heading 163 kilometres north-west from Roanne to Montluçon, it’s unlikely to be a stage to please breakaway groups through the Allier county. Even after the hills, the sprinters will be almost certain to want to test their legs ahead of Sunday’s Champs Elysées finish. Expect to see the penultimate battle in the war for the green jersey.

Local boy: Cyil Dessel (Ag2r Prevoyance)
Local hero: Roger Walkowiak (1956 Tour de France winner)

Roanne (start):

• Roanne is a stage town for the first time.
• The town is world famous for gastronomy. There are a number of renowned chefs from the area, including the Troisgros brothers, who’re still based in Roanne. Every October for a whole month, the gourmet cooking is mixed with live arts as part of a huge celebration.
• Due to its transport links and location, Roanne became well known for textiles and agriculture.
• As well as this, the town historically made tanks for the French army. In 1917, the arsenal was established there.
• The pride of the town is, apparently, the local basketball team, the Chorale Roanne Basket. They are the current French champions.

Montluçon (finish):

• Monluçon has been a stage town in five Tours de France. Its first appearance was in 1953, when Wout Wagtmans was the winner. It made its most recent appearance in 2001, when Serge Baguet took the victory.
• The town retains a lot of its mediaeval stylings, with narrow paved streets, fountains and half-timbered houses.
• Thanks to its rubber and metal processing industries as well as its mechanical and electrical components factories, Montluçon is the second largest industrial centre of the Auvergne region on an economic level.
• Audrey Tautou, of “Amelie” fame, was born in Montluçon.
• Surprise 1956 Tour de France winner Roger Walkowiak was also born in Montluçon.