Vasili Kiryienka, the Belorussian rider for Team Sky who won the 2012 Point d’Appui, is now on the cusp of the fulcrum along with Imanol Erviti Ollo of Movistar Team. They finished 82nd and 83rd in general classification, respectively, after Stage 18 of the 2014 Tour de France.

One hundred and sixty-four riders are still in the race after two riders failed to finish the day.

Heinrich Haussler of IAM Cycling left the stage early due to illness. José Joaquin Rojas Gil of Movistar Team was disqualified, apparently for drafting off a team car for too long or too obviously or too well.

Kiryienka is the top rider so far this decade for the Point d’Appui, having won the Point d’Appui in the 2012 Tour de France and the 2012 Tour de Romandie, as well as looking as though he would win the 2013 Tour de France Point d’Appui prior to being eliminated on time. With a flat stage and time trial to go, he seems like the odds-on favorite to win the fulcrum again this year, if the tour gets out of les Cuspides.

For Ollo, this is the first time he has been on the cusp, although his placements in his two previous tours put him at 88th in 2010 and 77th in 2009, respectable middle placement. His 2014 tour has been one of improving placement since Stage 8, including a climb of 8 places over yesterday’s finish.

Vincenzo Nibali won the stage and remains the leader of the race. Cheng Ji remains the Lanterne Rouge.