In a breathtaking display of endurance and strategy, Sloveniaâs Tadej Pogacar conquered Stage 12 of the Tour de France, outpacing his main rival, Denmarkâs Jonas Vingegaard, on the grueling 13.5km climb to Hautacam. Battling scorching temperatures, Pogacar cemented his legacy with a two-minute and 10-second advantage over Vingegaard, extending his overall lead to 3 minutes and 31 seconds as the race ventures deeper into the Pyrenees.
Three years ago, Vingegaard used this very climb to claim his first yellow jersey, leaving Pogacar trailing. This time, the tables turned. Pogacar said that the Hautacam finish was "always special", reflecting on his sweet revenge and his quest for a fourth stage win this year.
German rider Florian Lipowitz rounded out the podium, arriving 13 seconds behind Vingegaard after the 180.6km trek. As spectators cheered from the roadside villages, data from race sensors showed Pogacar maintaining an average gradient of over 8% with heart rates spiking above 180 bpmâproof of his exceptional form.
Looking ahead, the peloton faces Fridayâs mountain time trial, where margins are razor-thin and every second counts. With cyclingâs young stars pushing boundaries, this Tour de France promises more twists as contenders aim for glory in the worldâs most prestigious race.
Reference(s):
Pogacar outlasts Vingegaard in first mountain test at Tour de France
cgtn.com
