Bilderecke » me. Its like a tug of war and its a one off -

SAINT-GERVAIS MONT BLANC -- Chris Froome was relieved to have finished relatively unscathed, albeit sore. He knew too well that his crash on Friday could have cost him a likely third Tour de France title.He is also aware that Saturdays final day in the mountains poses a similar danger, with rain again forecast and with the fight for the podium just as tight as it was 24 hours earlier.Froome has been saying throughout this Tour that winning would be the toughest challenge of his career. That may well prove to be, even though the Briton extended his overall lead again -- but over a reshuffled deck of rivals -- in a crash-marred and rain-stricken 146-kilometer Stage 19 in the Alps on Friday from Albertville to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc.The stage unfolded as a story of misadventure for so many, including Froome, who crashed with 11.2 km to go on the final descent and nearing the last of four climbs of the day, the 9.8-km ascent to Le Bettex overlooking Saint Gervais Mont Blanc.Its ironic really. I was trying to stay up front and out of trouble, [but] I just hit one of the white lines and lost my wheel, said Froome, who abandoned his first Tour defence in 2014 following several early-stage crashes in slippery conditions.Im OK. Im lucky, nothing is seriously injured. I just lost a little skin and banged my knee a bit. Today was that kind of day, that Im grateful to have a four-minute advantage to fall back on.Froome (Sky) went down heavily on his right shoulder, elbow and knee as he and Italian Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) slipped on the white lane marker in the middle of the road.Fortunately for Froome, he had teammates nearby. They included Welshman Geraint Thomas, who immediately gave Froome his bike when the Tour leader realised his was damaged in the spill. Three other teammates -- Dutchman Wouter Poels and the Spanish duo of Mikel Landa and Sergio Henao -- were able to bring him back to the group of overall contenders.It was great to have all the team around me, said Froome, the 2013 and 2015 champion. Wout in particular ... all the guys. It was a great team effort. It feels good to be one day closer to Paris.It was soon after Froome crashed that Frenchman Romain Bardet (Ag2r) set off in pursuit of stage leader Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida). Bardet eventually overhauled the Portuguese to secure the first stage win by a French rider in this years Tour.Bardet also moved up from fifth place overall to second -- four minutes, 11 seconds behind Froome.?Froome finished the stage on Poels wheel with his yellow jersey torn on the upper right, back at 36 seconds to Bardet, who won the stage by 23 seconds from a group of three riders: Spains Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) in third, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) in fourth, and South African Louis Meintjes (Lampre-Merida) in fifth.Behind them followed a mishmash of exhausted riders, including two other overall contenders who, like Froome, also crashed in the wet, slippery conditions.They were Australian Richie Porte (BMC) in 10th at 53 seconds -- now up one place into fifth but at five minutes, 17 seconds off the front -- and Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo), who finished 23rd and plummeted from second overall to 10th, a full seven minutes, 42 seconds back.It was a terrible day for the Netherlands. Dutchman Tom Dumoulin also crashed and quit the Tour with a fractured left wrist, placing in serious doubt his availability for the Olympic Games in Rio, where he was a gold-medal favourite for the time trial.While Froome leads Bardet by a lengthy margin, the time gap between second and fifth places overall is 65 seconds, while between third and fifth the margin is 50 seconds.After Froome and Bardet, Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) is now third at 4:27, while Briton Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) is fourth at 4:46 after being handed a 10-second time penalty for receiving an illegal hand sling, and Porte in fifth at 5:17.Stage 20, 146.5 km from Megève to Morzine in the Alps, includes four categorized climbs, the last of which is followed by a tricky and sinewy descent to the finish line.Its going to be hard, really hard, said Froome. Ill be stiff and sore. Hopefully, Im going to rely on my teammates and just have one last push to get through [the] stage.Despite the myriad crashes, Bardet fully deserved the accolades that came his way.I was thinking about the general classification, but when Costa was dropped, I also thought about the stage win, Bardet said. Now I am in second place, and I hope to retain that position tomorrow. One more big mountain stage, so I am satisfied with the situation now.Bardet, who won Stage 18 last year, said his winning moved was not planned. Its the way I like to race, to have fun, with audacity, he said.Last year, the stage win was the goal, this year, I was really working on the GC. Today the rain made it even harder. To win, you have to take risks. I knew this climb, and I knew my bearings, and I knew where I could attack.I was hearing comments that there have been no attacks in this Tour, but we are all very fatigued I also knew I am in the best shape of my life. I just raced today, without any plan.Similarly, Bardet will not forget to enjoy the rest of the Tour that finishes on Sunday with the 21st stage from Chantilly to the Champs élysées in Paris that will suit the sprinters.I want to enjoy this, and take it as it comes, Bardet said. Last year, I tried to defend the climbers jersey, and I could not sleep at night. Now I am more relaxed, and if I manage to finish on the podium in Paris, it will be like a fairytale. Clearance College Basketball Jerseys . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. http://www.cheapcollegejerseys.net/ .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Authentic College Football Jerseys . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. Cheap Jerseys From China . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday.Its the big one. Middlesbrough face Brighton on the final day of the Championship season for a place in the Premier League - and unrivalled riches. The victor on Saturday will rub shoulders with the likes of Pep Guardiolas Manchester City next term but the biggest ever financial prize in football is also at stake, say financial analysts.Promotion to the Premier League for either club will see an uplift in revenue of at least £170m, according to Deloittes Sports Business Group, and at least £290m if they survive their first season. The experts also predict an increase in revenue for 2016/17 could propel Middlesbrough or Brighton into the worlds top 30 revenue-generating clubs. The winner of the match between Middlesbrough or Brighton could earn in the region of £170m by being promoted to the Premier League It doesnt get much closer than two glory-chasing sides level on points going into the final afternoon but who will prevail in front of the Sky Sports cameras? From the form book to the expert view, heres all you need to know...Whats the deal? Championship top three Team P GD Pts 1. Burnley 45 34 90 2. Middlesbrough 45 32 88 3. Brighton 45 30 88 Its pretty simple. Three points would secure promotion to the top flight alongside Burnley and the winner could still seal the title.If the Clarets lose to already-relegated Charlton at The Valley, a winner at the Riverside would see that side promoted as champions with 91 points to Burnleys 90. If Sean Dyches men win in south London, though, they will take home the silverware. Boros hopes were dealt a blow at Birmingham last weekend A draw would be enough for Middlesbrough as they have a superior goal difference.Bu it isnt all doom and gloom for the losing side. They would face sixth-placed Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs - with home advantage in the second leg - and could still earn promotion to the Premier League.Whos in form?Both sides are in decent form, but missed out on the chance to take maximum points last weekend. Middlesbrough drew with Birmingham on Friday, while James Wilsons late strike earned Brighton a point against play-off contenders Derby on Monday. Highlights from Brightons 1-1 draw with Derby in the Sky Bet Championship But they are both still on unbeaten runs. Boro have not lost in nine but have drawn the last three - including a 1-1 result against Burnley. The Seagulls made history at the start of the season when they went on a run of 21 games without loss - but were stopped in their tracks with a 3-0 home defeat to Middlesbrough just before Christmas. Since a 4-1 loss to Cardiff at the end of February, Brighton are now unbeaten in their last 13 Championship encounters, winning five of the last six. Aitor Karanka believes his side are even better than last season Any injuries to worry about?Karanka is unsure over the fitness of defender George Friend, who suffered a hamstring injury at Turf Moor last month.Karanka confirmed the clubs medical staff will assess Friend on Saturday morning, but does not anticipate doubts over other players.Ritchie de Laet stands by to step into the defence for Boro should Friend fail to make the cut. Middlesbroughs George Friend could be missing on Saturday Brighton will be missing defender Lewis Dunk, who starts a two-match ban following his red card against Derby on Monday.That means a first appearance since January for club captain Gordon Greer alongside Connor Goldson at centre-half.Any omens from the stats?Boro have won three of their last four league encounters with the Seagulls (D1).Brighton have not conceded a goal in any of their last three trips to the Riverside, winning two (D1). Brighton manager Chris Hughton has urged his squad to use the underdog tag to their advantage Boro have kept more clean sheets in league competition than any other team in the top four tiers this season (22).ddddddddddddTomer Hemeds 17 goals have won Brighton 16 points this season; only Andre Grays goals (22 points won) have been more valuable.Brighton have scored the first goal in more matches than any other team this season (28); with Chris Hughtons men avoiding defeat in all of those games (W21 D7).Are the managers confident? Seagulls boss Chris Hughton is backing his side to do the business and was in bullish mood following Mondays draw with the Rams.We will be going there with a winning mentality and we need to show enough quality, he said. Theres no doubt Middlesbrough will be the favourites and theyll be pleased with our result, but weve given ourselves every chance. Brighton midfielder Steve Sidwell is confident Brighton can beat Middlesbrough We have been good away from home for the majority of the season and we havent lost today. It is a big task but not one that is impossible.Boro boss Aitor Karanka is hoping home advantage pays dividends and believes his side are better than the one that suffered an agonising play-off final defeat last season. We have this game at home in front of our support and I am really positive, he told the Gazette.We have it in our hands. We have the final at our own stadium and we are better than we were last season. Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship clash between Birmingham and Middlesbrough It will be a really tough game, a really difficult 95 minutes. But we ready. I am ready, the club is ready, the fans are ready, and especially the players are ready.It will be tough but I think if I had to choose Brightons situation or ours I would choose ours, definitely.Whats the expert verdict? Sky Sports Football League expert Ian Holloway will be at the Riverside and describes the showdown as a double final.I cant believe Im fortunate enough to go. I can honestly tell you I dont know which way its going to go, he said. I dont know whos going to handle the pressure of it that well. I urge the Middlesbrough supporters to get right behind your team. I know they want it really badly and its been a long time since they dropped out of it [the Premier League]. Ian Holloway admits he has no idea whether it will be Middlesbrough or Brighton who will grab the final automatic promotion spot Chris Hughton and his Brighton team know theyve got to win. Sometimes worrying about a draw - it stops you going for broke so sometimes its better to know what youve got to do.The game will be won or lost in the nerves and who can play the occasion. Who can go through the process rather than be caught up in the emotion of the game. Its like a tug of war and its a one off - like a double final for the neutrals this year.Middlesbrough have got the chance to put the play-off final from last season behind them. Will that carry into this year? I hope not, but truthfully I cant wait to see and the atmosphere will be something else and I just know someones going to be disappointed. Craig Hignett believes Middlesbrough will beat Brighton If its Brighton, they will be more than delighted with their season anyway and I think theyll fancy their chances with the way their team is playing. If its Middlesbrough who miss out, Im sure that it would be harder for them because of last season. I feel for whoever doesnt do it, but theyve all had great seasons and I cant wait to see how it unfolds.Who do you think will be taking the final automatic promotion spot to the Premier League? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @SkySportsFL. Also See: Whats still to be decided? Loan Watch: Who has impressed? 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