The 109th Tour de France leaves the Alps, the duel between yellow wearer Jonas Vingegaard and the Slovenian defending champion Tadej Pogacar continues.
The Dane is 2:22 minutes ahead of Pogacar, behind him ex-tour champion Geraint Thomas remains in wait. Today the stars can catch their breath.
Hope for the sprinters
On the 13th stage over 192.6 kilometers from Le Bourg d”Oisans to Saint-Etienne, only two mountains of the third category and one of the second category await. The sprinters have one of the few chances of a mass finish. But the sprinter teams would have to do that work, because breakaways are likely to hope for a stage win, as in 2019 when Belgian Thomas De Gendt triumphed solo in Saint-Etienne.
fight for yellow
While last year’s tour was decided after the first weekend in the Alps, this time it’s going to be extremely exciting. Seven drivers are within 4:07 minutes. And Pogacar, who collapsed at the Col du Granon, already gave a foretaste of the Pyrenees on the climb to the cycling Mecca Alpe d’Huez. “Now it’s my turn to attack. Of course, Jonas is impressive, but we will fight to the end. I’ll give everything,” announced Pogacar. Vingegaard is prepared for this: “I have huge confidence in my team. But at some point with Pogacar it always comes down to a man-to-man fight.”
oldies
The four-time Tour Champion Chris Froome once again showed old class with third place in Alpe d’Huez. “I felt better and better. I tried my luck and gave it my all. I don’t regret anything,” said the 37-year-old. Simon Geschke, who is one year younger, defended his mountain jersey for another day. “Many riders are chasing my jersey. I’m glad I was able to keep it for a fourth day in a row. But I don’t see myself in Paris with the jersey yet,” said the native of Berlin.