Tadej Pogačar took the yellow jersey from Jonas Vingegaard on Monday after winning the stage finishing at Les Angles. The Slovenian rider secured his first victory of the edition following a move supported by teammate Isaac Del Toro, establishing a new lead in the general classification according to official Tour de France race timing.
How Pogačar seized the yellow jersey at Les Angles
Tadej Pogačar shifted the balance of power in the general classification during Monday’s stage. The victory was facilitated by a strategic effort from his teammate, Isaac Del Toro, who launched the move that allowed Pogačar to distance the field. By winning the stage at Les Angles, Pogačar not only claimed the day’s victory but successfully overturned the time deficit to overtake Jonas Vingegaard in the overall standings.
The move at Les Angles represents a critical tactical shift in the race. While Vingegaard had previously held the lead, Pogačar’s ability to win a mountain stage while gaining time on his primary rival suggests a surge in form. This transition of the maillot jaune often dictates the defensive or offensive posture of the teams for the remaining stages of the Tour.
The tactical role of Isaac Del Toro
The victory was not a solo effort from the start. Isaac Del Toro played a key role as Pogačar’s partner in the attack. In professional cycling, such “launch” moves are designed to force rivals to chase, creating a gap that the leader can then exploit. Del Toro’s positioning allowed Pogačar to accelerate at the precise moment required to break the grip of the peloton and the Visma-Lease a Bike squad supporting Vingegaard.
For readers unfamiliar with the dynamics, a “launch” occurs when a teammate attacks first, forcing the opposing team to burn energy to close the gap, which then provides a slipstream or a psychological opening for the team leader to counter-attack.
What this means for the general classification
Pogačar now enters the next phase of the race with the psychological and mathematical advantage of the yellow jersey. The rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard has defined the modern era of the Tour de France, characterized by high-altitude battles and marginal time gains. By taking the jersey at Les Angles, Pogačar has forced Vingegaard into the role of the attacker, meaning the Danish rider must now find a way to claw back seconds or minutes in the coming stages.
The time gap created during this stage is the new benchmark for the race. While the exact second-by-second margin is finalized by the UCI commissaires post-stage, the shift in leadership is absolute.
Looking ahead to the next stages
The race now moves forward with Pogačar defending the lead. The focus shifts to the remaining mountain passes and potential time trials, where Vingegaard traditionally remains a threat. The stability of the yellow jersey will depend on Pogačar’s ability to maintain his current momentum and the continued support of his teammates like Del Toro.
The next official checkpoint will be the start of the following stage, where the peloton will once again face the challenging terrain of the French countryside. Fans can follow official updates via the Tour de France official website and timing apps.
Do you think Pogačar can hold the yellow jersey until Paris, or will Vingegaard mount a comeback? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
