Simon Yates put in another aggressive performance to win stage 19 and claw back 28 seconds, plus some bonus seconds, on Egan Bernal in the pink jersey. The BikeExchange rider attacked on the final climb of Alpe di Mera with 6.5km to go, holding a slim advantage over his chasers until the line.
While Bernal looked a shade of his dominant self from earlier in the race, the Colombian kept Yates within touching distance to minimise his losses. It remains to be seen if Bernal is a fading force or if he is riding conservatively ahead of the time trial Sunday.
There were ultimately no changes in the overall classification, but it sets up a fascinating final mountain stage to Valle Spluga on Saturday.