Backstedt sprints into history

Magnus Backstedt sprints to victory

Magnus Backstedt of Sweden won a four-man sprint to the line to take first place in the 19th stage of the Tour de France on Friday.

The 22-year-old edged out Martin Den Bakker of Holland, Italian Eddy Mazzoleni and Frenchman Pascal Derame in a final dash for the line.

Marco Pantani retains the overall lead

He clocked a provisional 5hr 10min 14sec and became the first ever Swede to win a stage of the race.

"I can't believe it," he said. "It's incredible to win a stage of the Tour."

Plagued by an ongoing drug scandal, just 96 cyclists started the leg, which runs for 151.3 miles (242km).

A group of 13 riders broke away early and built up a big lead.

Less than two hours into the stage, the margin was more than 11 minutes and at the end, the pack had slipped 16 minutes behind.

Despite finishing well behind the peloton, Marco Pantani of Italy retains the yellow jersey.

Pantani still has a 5 minute, 42 second lead over American Bobby Julich. Defending champion Jan Ullrich is 5:56 behind.

Results: Stage 19

1. Magnus Backstedt (Swe/GAN) 242km in 5hr 10 min 14sec (average 46.803kph)
2. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned/RAB) at 00:00.
3. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita/SAE) 00:00.
4. Pascal Derame (Fra/USP) 00:00.
5. Frederic Guesdon (Fra/FDJ) 00:25.
6. Fabio Sacchi (Ita/PLT) 00:25.
7. Jacky Durand (Fra/CSO) 00:25.
8. Alain Turicchia (Ita/ASI) 00:25.
9. Stuart O'Grady (Aus/GAN) 00:25.
10. Thierry Gouvenou (Fra/BIG) 00:25.

Saturday's penultimate stage is a 52km time trial.