The Pyrenean summit of Hautacam was realistically the last-chance saloon for two-time Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) to take the fight to race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Jumboo-Visma) for the maillot jaune.
After four hours of racing, however, the Slovenian’s dreams of standing atop the final podium in Paris were extinguished as Vingegaard not only resisted a volley of attacks during stage 18 but rode away to the finish alone, extending his GC lead to 3:26.
Vingegaard, who went into the stage with a comfortable 2:18 lead following his dispatching of Pogačar on the Col de Granon last week, parried five attacks from the 23-year-old over the penultimate climb of the Col de Spandelles.
He then survived a tricky descent in which he narrowly avoided a crash, while Pogačar wasn’t so lucky, and then rode away with 4.5km to go on Hautacam following an incredible turn on the front by Wout van Aert which dropped his main yellow jersey rival.
The seconds ticked up as the final kilometres of the climb passed by, before Vingegaard eventually crossed the line 1:04 up on Pogačar, the 2022 Tour de France title all but guaranteed. Speaking after the stage, Vingegaard profusely thanked his Jumbo-Visma team, who carried out another “masterpiece” to rival the display put on up the Granon.
“It’s a good way of saying it. It’s a masterpiece like the jersey we have,” Vingegaard said. “I think the whole team was strong today. We had two guys in the break. They were all incredible. I have to thank my team so much today and this victory is because of them.
“You see Wout dropping Tadej Pogačar in the end. Sepp Kuss was incredible. Tiesj [Benoot], Christophe [Laporte], Nathan [Van Hooydonck], they were all incredible. Thanks so much to my teammates. I could never have done this without them.
“Today and the Granon stage are two really good examples of how strong this team are. I’m having the best rider in the world Wout van Aert as a helper. Not only Wout, but everybody was incredibly strong, so I have to thank my team so many times for this win.”
Vingegaard fended off numerous attacks from Pogačar on the stage, following on from the offensives the Slovenian had put on during previous stages to the Alpe d’Huez, Mende, Foix, and Peyragudes.
Since taking yellow eight days ago, however, Vingegaard has never looked particularly uncomfortable in defending his lead, matching Pogačar’s every move – aside from the brief moment he was caught out shortly after…
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