Jonas Vingegaard is the winner of this year’s Tour de France. The 25-year-old Dane took second place in the day’s individual time trial over 40.7 km from Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour. His Jumbo Visma colleague Wout van Aert, who is also ahead in the sprinter classification, took the day’s victory.
In the last stage on Sunday over 116 km with start and finish in Paris, Vingegaard only has to reach the finish line on the Champs-Élysées safely – the overall leader enjoys “protection against attack” on the triumphant ride of the tour on the final day and does not have to fear any attacks from the competitors.
“Today was a dream scenario. I’m super exhausted after three weeks and gave everything again”, said van Aert, in tears. At the foot of the podium he fell into the arms of his teammate and designated Tour winner Vingegaard. “I wanted the stage and the yellow jersey for Jonas.”
Pogacar second overall, Thomas third
Last year’s winner Tadej Pogacar, who was in the overall leader’s yellow jersey for a long time, kept his second place in the classification, Geraint Thomas, winner of the 2018 tour, will be third on the podium in Paris.
Alexander Vlasov, best placed in the German team Bora-hansgrohe, made up two places in the overall standings with a fine performance in the time trial and jumped to fifth place.
Chessman in ninth place
Best German was Maximilian Schachmann after a strong performance in ninth place. “I am very satisfied with the performance”said Schachmann. “I didn’t have a good feeling in the morning, then I slept for another hour on the bus. The performance gives me confidence for the coming weeks.” Among the eight remaining German starters was not a pure time trial specialist.
But even after the overall very fast and difficult tour, the pros didn’t rest easy in the fight against the clock. “It was extremely tough. It was full throttle every day, even the time trial. You couldn’t just look at the landscape there.”said the German champion Nils Politt.