With this the last realistic chance for the breakaway, on the assumption stage 21 on the Champs-Elysees ends in a bunch sprint, plenty of people wanted to get up the road.

After a number of attacks were reeled in, the group that eventually went clear was 20-strong, with some big hitters present.

Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) was the highest placed overall, but no threat to the GC, as Team Sky let the group get away.

Also present were Ben Swift (UAE Team Emirates), breakaway regulars Thomas de Gendt (Lotto-Soudal) and Sylvain Chavanel (Direct Energie), and Boasson Hagen.

De Gendt, whose frequent endeavours in the breakaway have him in the prize money for the points classification, added 20 to his total at the intermediate sprint, but Boasson Hagen kept his powder dry.

Action was otherwise limited on the longest stage of this year’s race, with the peloton happy to let the break go and the 20 riders co-operating well.

As the kilometres ticked down, however, the frequency of the attacks went up, and the group was split with 16km to go – Swift missing the split, but the remaining sprinters all getting in the front group.

Tour de France 2017: stage 19 – result

1) Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR) – Dimension Data – 5.06.09hrs
2) Nikias Arndt (GER) – Team Sunweb +5″
3) Jens Keukeleire (BEL) – Orica-Scott +17″
4) Daniele Bennati (ITA) – Movistar – ST
5) Thomas de Gendt (BEL) – Lotto-Soudal
6) Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) – Direct Energie
7) Elie Gesbert (FRA) – Fortuneo-Oscaro
8) Jan Bakelants (BEL) – Ag2r-La Mondiale
9) Michael Albasini (SUI) – Orica-Scott +19″
10) Pierre-Luc Perichon (FRA) – Fortuneo-Oscaro +1.32

General classification

1) Chris Froome (GBR) – Team Sky – 83.26.55hrs
2) Romain Bardet (FRA) – Ag2r-La Mondiale +23″
3) Rigoberto Uran (COL) – Cannondale-Drapac +29″
4) Mikel Landa (ESP) – Team Sky +1.36
5) Fabio Aru (ITA) – Astana +1.55
6) Daniel Martin (IRL) – QuickStep Floors +2.56
7) Simon Yates (GBR) – Orica-Scott +4.46
8) Louis Meintjes (RSA) – UAE Team Emirates +6.52
9) Warren Barguil (FRA) – Team Sunweb +8.22
10) Alberto Contador (ESP) – Trek-Segafredo +8.34