Tadej Pogacar inched closer to securing his third Tour de France title after a thrilling victory in the penultimate stage on Saturday. The Slovenian cyclist outwitted the two-time defending champion, Jonas Vingegaard, claiming his fifth stage win of the year.
The 132.8-kilometer mountain stage from Nice saw Pogacar sprint past Vingegaard in the final 250 meters, showcasing his relentless determination. Vingegaard, striving to solidify his second-place position in the general classification, couldn't keep up the pace, allowing Pogacar to surge ahead.
\"I enjoyed it very much. I couldn't be happier with another stage win,\" Pogacar remarked after the race. With this win, he now boasts 16 Tour de France stage victories. His lead in the overall standings has grown to five minutes and 14 seconds ahead of Vingegaard, with Belgium's Remco Evenepoel trailing in third place, 2:50 behind.
The stage concluded on a challenging note for Vingegaard, whose attempt to distance Evenepoel earlier in the race faltered. Pogacar remained steadfast in Vingegaard's slipstream before executing a powerful acceleration, ensuring his rival finished the stage with limited momentum.
Looking ahead, the Tour de France will culminate on Sunday with an individual time trial between Monaco and Nice, marking the first time in its 121-year history that the race will not conclude in Paris. This change accommodates the upcoming Summer Olympics, set to begin on July 26 in the French capital.
Ecuador's Richard Carapaz secured the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification, while Biniam Girmay of Eritrea took home the green jersey for the points classification. Despite an aggressive late attack by Evenepoel, Vingegaard managed to stay ahead, leaving the Belgian rider trailing behind.
Pogacar's strategic approach and explosive finish have set the stage for a dramatic final day, with fans eagerly anticipating whether he can cement his legacy with a third Tour de France victory.
Reference(s):
Merciless Pogacar puts hammer down to top Vingegaard again in Stage 20
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