Pogačar strikes again in the Pyrenees to extend lead

UAE Team Emirates (France) - Press Release: Pogačar strikes again in the Pyrenees to extend lead.

Slovenian pushes out lead to over 3 minutes heading into final week.

It was a head to head on the last 10,5 km of the Plateau de Beille climb, summit arrival of stage 15 of the Tour de France (197,7 km, start from Loudenvielle) and the winner was Tadej Pogačar, who put 1’08” into his direct rival Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).

On what was a very hot day, the duel began when the Danish rider attacked from the top riders reduced group just after that his team mate Jorgenson had finished to set the pace of that bunch.

Only the UAE Team Emirates’ captain could follow him, sticking to Vingegaard’s rear wheel for the following 5 km until when, after an acceleration from his rival, Pogačar went clear with a powerful attack, without giving the Danish cyclist the chance to reply.

Pogačar crossed the finish line celebrating his amazing performance with an advantage on Vingegaard (2nd) of 1’08”, 3rd place for Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) at 2’51”, a solid 5th place for João Almeida at 4’43” and 6th for Adam Yates (+4’56”).

The yellow jersey will leave the second rest day with 3’09” on Vingegaard and 5’19” on Evenepoel, with Almeida who sits in 4th place at 10’54”.
The Tour de France will resume on Tuesday with the Gruissan-Nimes, 188,6 km with an easy profile.

Pogačar: “It has been an incredible day. I would have never imagined this kind of outcome seeing how the second week began. I’m super happy with my shape. It was a super hard and super hot day, and I normally struggle a bit with warm weather… Yet my team did a super job.

The Tour GC is looking really good right now. We have a comfortable lead and just need to keep focused on these final six days of racing.

I have won a lot of stages in the Pyrenees. Somehow I like these mountains, and it is reciprocal! As for Plateau de Beille in particular, Adam Yates had told me this was the hardest climb he had ever done and I’m very glad I could win here.”.

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