Mastering the Tour de France: 5 Key Moments That Determined the Champion

Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard’s results in the Tour de France were expected, but the finish felt a bit off. Pogačar seemed mentally worn out even while being physically dominant. Vingegaard, on the other hand, ended the race feeling better despite not winning a stage. Another surprise was Florian Lipowitz and Oscar Onley, who finished third and fourth overall. They both had solid showings throughout the race, even if few expected them to stand on the podium in Paris.

This year’s Tour had its share of surprises. Jasper Philipsen crashed out, Mathieu Van der Poel withdrew due to illness, and Biniam Girmay couldn’t snag a stage win after a standout performance last year. Let’s dive into five key stages that shaped the overall outcome of the Tour.

Stage 5: Time Trial

The early stages were fast-paced but didn’t create much separation among the top racers. Before stage 5, Pogačar and Vingegaard were only eight seconds apart. However, the 33km time trial in Caen changed everything. Pogačar excelled, beating the time trial specialists and pulling ahead. Vingegaard struggled, losing valuable time, which would prove crucial later.

• **After Stage 5 GC Standings:**
  1st: Pogačar 17:22:58
  2nd: Remco Evenepoel +0:42
  3rd: Kévin Vauquelin +0:59
  4th: Vingegaard +1:13

Stage 12: Hautacam

It took nearly a week for significant gaps to appear again, with stage 12 on Hautacam causing the most damage. Vingegaard’s performance was underwhelming, and Pogačar took full advantage. The time loss here would haunt Vingegaard, as he couldn’t keep pace with Pogačar.

• **GC Standings After Stage 12:**
  1st: Pogačar 45:22:51
  2nd: Vingegaard +3:31
  3rd: Evenepoel +4:45

Stage 13: Peyragudes Time Trial

The uphill time trial in stage 13 further solidified Pogačar’s lead. He showcased extraordinary power, finishing ahead of Vingegaard, who had a strong ride but still lost ground. Riders like Evenepoel struggled, and this stage underscored the shifting dynamics of the race.

• **GC Standings After Stage 13:**
  1st: Pogačar 45:45:51
  2nd: Vingegaard +4:07

Stage 16: Mont Ventoux

Stage 16 was both thrilling and puzzling. Vingegaard and Pogačar were neck and neck, with Vingegaard attacking repeatedly. However, Pogačar kept pace, ultimately sprinting ahead in the final moments. While the time gap wasn’t significant, the psychological implications were surely heavy on Vingegaard.

• **GC Standings After Stage 16:**
  1st: Pogačar 58:24:46
  2nd: Vingegaard +4:15

Stage 18: Col de la Loze

The final significant challenge was stage 18 on Col de la Loze. Pogačar proved his resilience, while Vingegaard couldn’t muster the strength for a game-changing move. This stage was a testament to the physical and mental fatigue all riders faced by that point in the Tour.

• **GC Standings After Stage 18:**
  1st: Pogačar 66:55:42
  2nd: Vingegaard +4:26

On stage 19, once again, riders tried to break away, but only Thymen Arensman succeeded, clinching a stage win while Vingegaard gained a few seconds on Pogačar. Unfortunately, that would be his only gain in this Tour.

This year’s Tour has shown that racing isn’t just about legs; it’s equally about mental strength. The performances at Hautacam and Peyragudes were telling moments that shaped the landscape of the competition. As fans, we love to witness how small moments can shift the entire narrative of such an epic event.

Source link

Florian Lipowitz,Jonas Vingegaard,Oscar Onley,Power analysis,Remco Evenepoel,Tadej Pogačar,Tour de France,Zach Nehr