Arrival alone for the Australian of Jayco-Alula. Tadej starts in the final and gives another 9 “to the Danish, now detached from 4’26”
On Col de Loze, at 2304 meters above sea level, in the toughest stage of the tour, there is glory for the Australian Ben O’Connor, who gives his Jayco-Alula a prestigious success in a very rich season (two stages also won at the Giro, with Plapp and Harper). But behind him the fog surrounding this mountain on the French Alps above Courchevel, is torn by the terrible acceleration of the yellow shirt Tadej Pogacar. After a climb always up to the wheel before the Gregari of Vingegaard, then of his loyal Narvaez and Adam Yates, 400 meters are enough for him, always seated, to boil the resistance of Vingegaard, who tries to resist him, responds for 50 meters, then the Danish puts herself back on the saddle and leaves the stage to the yellow jersey.
revenge
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Yes, because on these slopes where in 2022 Pogacar had undergone Vingegaard the hardest defeat of his career, with those words “I died” called by radio to the flagship, today the Slovenian of the UAE Emirates seals his fourth triumph on the tour after those of 2020, 2021e 2024. Always sitting, we reiterate it, because Pogacar, which is much more powerful than Vingegaard and Pesa At least 7 kg more, has very effective buttocks that allow him to accelerate impetuously on the saddle, without having to get up. Vingegaard had tried the attack of life 72 km from the arrival, on Col de la Madeleine, to try to isolate Pogacar and play it head each. But in the descent of Madeleine the cards are stirred and in the end, despite the wingmen, the vinegaard forces are the ones they are. And so behind O’Connor, 29 years old, according to the World Championship of Zurich 2024 behind Pogacar, 2nd to Vuelta 2024, 4th at Giro 2024 and 4th at the Tour 2021, the Slovenian is second to 1’47 “and Vingegaard third at 1’55”. With the account of the Abbuons, now Pogacar commands the 112nd Tour de France with 4’26 “on Vingegaard, and then earns 11” compared to the departure of the stage; Third Lipowitz (Ger) at 11’01 “, Quarto Onley (GB) at 11’23” and Quinto Roglic (Slo) at 12’49 “. The ninth, O’Connor, is at 29’19! Tomorrow the last Alpine hamlet in La Plagne, a very short stage of 129 km for the definitive seal on the tour.
final climb
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The final climb of Courchevel with the de la Loze, arriving at 2304 meters above sea level, measures 26.5 km with an average slope of 6.5% and peaks of 13% before entering the last 4 km that are made on the cycle path: here the average slopes are 10% and the tips of 13%. Pantani in 2000, when Battè Armstrong, arrived in Courchevel town, not here at the top. At the beginning of the climb, Jornson, Rubio have 1 ‘on Lipowitz and 3’20 “on Pogacar, Vingegaard and Roglic. Curiosity: on the run there are a former jumper with skiing (Roglic) and a former Biathleta (Lipowitz). The slowdown at the beginning of the climb makes the Onley Group falls, where there are Kuss and Simon Yates (Gregari di Vaggaard) Soler, Narvaez and Adam Yates (loyal to Pogacar). They are 3 against 3: Pogacar with Adam Yates and Narvaez, Vingegaard with Simon Yates and Kuss. Everything changes 11.5 km from the arrival: Narvaez and Adam Yates give up. At -10 km: O’Connor with 3’09 “on Lipowitz and 3’20” on Giallo Pogacar. You enter the cycle path, O’Connor passes to 5 km with 3’03 “, accelerates Adam Yates in the bottom – 3 km at the finish: O ‘Connor has 2’06” on Rubio and 2’50 “on the yellow group. Then the final show of Pogacar.
highlight
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Vingegaard tries the attack of life 72 km from the arrival of Courchevel-Colo de la Loze. 4’15 “late from Pogacar, try to blow up the tour with a strategy once again perfect: on the run Van Aert and then Simon Yates, Kuss and Jornson. While Pogacar is alone, he remained isolated after sending Wellens to escape. Instead, the great day of Primaz Roglic, fourth in general, who goes to the morning and tries to return to the podium, while he is going to return to the podium. Lipowitz, third, Rogic’s partner, chases at 49 “. Lipowitz returns downhill and then stretches to earn compared to the yellow jersey. The attack of Vingegaard is 4.7 km from the top of the Madeleine hill: the Danish in his own way, tall on the pedals, but Pogacar responds from sitting, he who is more powerful. Vingegaard is launched by Kuss and 3.9 km from the top meets the last Gregario, the American Matteo Jornson, who starts to make the pace. At the top, I take Pogacar to take the points of the polka dot shirt.
plan
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Tomorrow the stage 19, Albertville-la Plagne, km 129.9: we are always on the Alps and it is the last mountain day of the tour. Announcement 4550 meters, uphill arrival, five stars of difficulty. Look well the length of the stage: just 129 km and five climbs, the first after just 12 km from the start. There were famous climbs like the Col des Saisies (13.7 km 6.4%) and the Cormat de Roselend (5.9 km at 6.3%) before the long final rise in La Plagne: 19.1 km 7.2% and tips of 10% between the 12th and 13th kilometer. The plagna means the victory of Fignon in yellow jersey in 1984 in front of Hinault, and then in 1987, and the progression of Miguel Indurain in 1995, his fifth and last triumph, when he also detached Pantani. On the top of La Plagne, however, you can already see the arch of Trionfo of Paris: the Tour 2025 ends here.
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