Edvald Boasson Hagen won stage 19 of the Tour de France on Friday, while Chris Froome finished in the pack to take another step towards a fourth title.

Boasson Hagen had finished second in two photo finishes in this year’s race, but this time he broke away with 3km to go and soloed to the line to claim his first stage win at the Tour de France since 2011.

Nikias Arndt finished second, five seconds behind the Norwegian.

Froome is 23 seconds ahead of Romain Bardet and 29 ahead of Rigoberto Uran in the general classification.

Saturday’s penultimate stage is a 22.5km time trial that will start and finish at Marseille’s Velodrome stadium. Froome is expected to extend his advantage there, and would then only need to stay on his bike on Sunday to win the race.

South Africa’s Louis Meintjes is eighth overall, six minutes and 52 seconds behind Froome.

Stage 19 result:

1. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Dimension Data) 5hrs 06mins 09secs
2. Nikias Arndt (Ger/Team Sunweb) +5secs
3. Jens Keukeleire (Bel/Orica-Scott) +17secs
4. Daniele Bennati (Ita/Movistar) Same time
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 (Swi/Orica-Scott) +19secs
10. Pierre-Luc Perichon (Fra/Fortuneo-Oscaro) +1min 32secs

General classification after stage 19:

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 83hrs 26mins 55secs
2. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +23secs
3. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale-Drapac) +29secs
4. Mikel Landa (Spa/Team Sky) +1min 36secs
5. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +1min 55secs
6. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step Floors) 2mins 56secs
7. Simon Yates (GB/Orica-Scott) 4mins 46secs
8. Louis Meintjes (SA/Team UAE Emirates) +6mins 52secs
9. Warren Barguil (Fra/Team Sunweb) +8mins 22secs
10. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek-Segafredo) +8mins 34secs

Photo: @letour_uk