HAUTACAM, France (AP) — Barring an accident, Jonas Vingegaard will likely be wearing the yellow jersey when he finishes the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday.
Vingegaard responded to a series of attacks from defending champion Tadej Pogacar on Thursday and finally shook off his main rival in the final big mountain stage of this year’s race to increase his overall lead to three minutes and 26 seconds.
With only one major test remaining, a 41-kilometre (25.5-mile) time trial scheduled for Saturday, the Dane and Jumbo-Visma leader appears all but certain of his first Tour title after arriving at the Hautacam complex on his own. bill.
“Is incredible. This morning I told my girlfriend and my daughter that I wanted to conquer the stage for them. I feel happy and proud to have won for them,” said Vingegaard. “I need to stay focused and keep taking it day by day. I don’t want to talk about winning the Tour yet. Let’s talk about it in two days.”
Pogacar, the two-time defending champion, took every chance and crashed down the hill as he relentlessly tried to isolate Vingegaard. Back on his bike, Pogacar collapsed with about four kilometers to go on the final ascent, his hopes of winning a third successive title all but dashed.
“I risked everything for the yellow jersey,” said Pogacar. “I did not give up, I exceeded my limits and I am proud of today. The best man won today.”
Vingegaard then rode solo to claim his second Tour victory, having conquered the Col du Granon last week in the Alps, the day he took control of the race. Pogacar crossed the finish line more than a minute behind the Dane.
The Colombian Nairo Quintana fell back one place in the general, fifth, at 13:35 behind the leader.
The final big mountain stage of this year’s race got off to an exciting start with a series of attacks outside the city of Lourdes.
The Vingegaard Jumbo-Visma team managed to add the powerful and versatile Wout van Aert to the day’s breakaway. By sending the versatile Belgian to the front, the mighty Dutch team ensured that he was available later in the stage to set the pace for Vingegaard.
And indeed it was Van Aert who made Pogacar lose control with his frantic pace on the last climb. Van Aert completed the podium.
