While Alaphillipe currently leads the pack on the back of some gutsy cycling, there is no guarantee that he’ll come out on top in the end. He’ll have to battle through the fatigue of over 20 days of cycling and the crushing altitude of the Alps, all while fending off as many as seven other cyclists who remain in contention to catch him. And if that wasn’t challenging enough, a record heat wave will turn his path to victory into a scorching oven.
As France braces for a heated finale, Spain’s most storied rivalry makes its way to the United States and Las Vegas plays host to a star-studded WNBA All-Star weekend – not to mention the conclusion of what have been some testy moments in the pool at the swimming world championships in South Korea.
Here’s your guide to the weekend’s biggest sporting events:
Tour de France
Three weeks ago, 218 cyclists set out on a quest to conquer the illustrious hills and curves of the Tour de France. By the end of the weekend, only one of them will don the centenary yellow jersey at the victory ceremony in front of the infamous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Despite his lead, Julian Alaphillipe – a proven force in the sport’s shorter races – is still an underdog. On Stage 18, the Frenchman saw his lead cut into by Colombian rider Egal Bernal. But after the grueling 2,000-meter ascent, Alaphillipe still had the presence of mind to lend his yellow jersey to a shivering, young onlooker.
He will look to put all questions about him to rest this weekend with the Alps and the adoration of an entire nation as his backdrop.
Watch it:
Friday: Stage 19 starting at 8 a.m. ET on NBCSN
Saturday: Stage 20 starting at 8 a.m. ET on NBC
Sunday: Stage 21 starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and 2 p.m. ET on NBC
International viewers should check their local listings.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid
In its first rendition outside of Europe, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid – two clubs that have been at odds for well over a century – write a new chapter in their storied derby history.
The two will face off in the International Champions Cup in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as they prepare for their upcoming league and European campaigns. And while the ICC is technically a preseason exhibition tournament, neither of these sides nor their fans have a clue how to take this match lightly.
They haven’t held back anything since their first official meeting in 1928. The chances that they start now are slim.
Watch it:
Friday: 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
International viewers should check their local listings.
Swimming world championships
The 2019 FINA Swimming World Championships have produced some shocking moments in and out of the pool in Gwangju, South Korea.
Australian Ariarne Titmus handed Katie Ledecky a surprising 400-meter defeat before the American phenom withdrew from the 200-meter and 1,500-meter freestyles due to illness. She since has made her return to the pool to help the Americans win silver in the 4 x 200-meter relay and is scheduled to swim in the 800-meter final.
World records have been set, including Adam Peaty becoming the first man to swim a sub-57-second 100-meter breaststroke, shaving a quarter of a second off his previous world record of 57.13.
Additionally, 19-year-old Kristof Milak broke the 200-meter butterfly world record, previously set by Michael Phelps a decade ago.
Paired with the glory is controversy. American Lilly King was disqualified from the 200-meter breaststroke when it was ruled she failed to touch the wall with both hands at the same time in the first turn in the preliminary heats.
Britain’s Duncan Scott refused to stand on the podium with China’s Sun Yang, coming after Australian Mack Horton, who has previously labeled Sun a “drug cheat,” also wouldn’t take the podium or shake hands with Sun.
This weekend will feature an array of aquatic finals, and with it, some more moments to remember ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Watch it:
Friday: Day 6 Finals at 7 a.m. ET on Olympic Channel
Saturday: Day 7 Finals at 7 a.m. ET on Olympic Channel
Sunday: Day 8 Finals at 7 a.m. ET on NBCSN
International viewers should check their local listings.
WNBA All-Star Game
The All-Star talents of the WNBA will be on display in Las Vegas this weekend.
Six-time All-Star Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics chose Brittney Griner of the Phoenix Mercury as the top pick in the first televised WNBA All-Star Team selection special.
Fans chose Las Vegas Aces forward, A’ja Wilson, as the other All-Star captain in just her second season in the league. The 2018 Rookie of the Year made sure to put her two All-Star teammates in her squad.
Liz Cambage and Kayla McBride are used to putting up big numbers in front of their home crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tune in to see the All-Star festivities this weekend.
Watch it:
Friday: Three Point Contest and Skills Challenge at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Saturday: Team Delle Donne vs. Team Wilson at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
International viewers should check their local listings.