Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar of the UAE Team Emirates clinched a impressive victory on stage 19 of the Tour de France, solidifying his lead over defending champion Jonas Vingegaard and inching closer to a historic Tour-Giro double. With just two challenging stages left, Pogacar now holds a 5 minute and 3 second advantage over Vingegaard, while Remco Evenepoel sits in third place, trailing by 7 minutes and 1 second. If Pogacar succeeds in winning the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, it will mark the first time in 25 years that a cyclist has achieved this remarkable feat.
Confident and determined, Pogacar had declared his intention to attack during the grueling Queen stage, which featured treacherous mountain climbs. Heading into stage 19 with a comfortable 3 minute and 11 second lead over Vingegaard, and Evenepoel further back at 5 minutes and 11 seconds, Pogacar displayed his prowess as he powered through the challenging course. Known for struggling at high altitudes and in hot conditions, Pogacar thrived in the cooler temperatures of 18.5C (65f) under overcast skies, setting the stage for a dominant performance.
The stage featured demanding ascents, starting with the challenging Col de la Bonnette, a 23km climb with an average gradient of 7 percent that took the riders to a breathtaking altitude of 2800m. The final climb to the Isola 2000 ski resort was equally punishing, but Pogacar showed his strength by attacking with 10km remaining. With a jaw-dropping display of power, Pogacar left his competitors behind, overtaking them one by one and ultimately crossing the finish line with a commanding lead. Matteo Jorgenson claimed second place, followed by Simon Yates in third, Richard Carapaz in fourth, and Evenepoel in fifth, with Vingegaard close behind.
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay maintained his lead in the green sprint jersey competition, ahead of Jasper Philipsen, as both riders have won three stages each. Pogacar, on the other hand, has secured four stage victories so far, further highlighting his dominance in this year’s Tour de France. The intermediate sprint points were contested by the escape group, with Girmay and Philipsen showcasing their sprinting abilities well ahead of the main peloton. As the race progresses towards its conclusion, Pogacar’s impressive performance in stage 19 has solidified his position as the favorite to claim victory in the prestigious Tour de France.
