OMG What a Stage! Pogacar Overtakes Roglic to Win the Tour de France

TADEJ POGACAR WINS ITT AND TAKES THE YELLOW JERSEY

Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) rode to Tour de France overall victory at the age of 21 as he smashed all his rivals for winning the individual time trial to La Planche des belles filles, including Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma) who was touted as the eventual winner of the 107th edition. Tom Dumoulin (Jumbo-Visma) and Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) rounded out the stage podium, meaning a move to the final podium as well for the latter.

On the Left, Roglic just passed Lopez. On the right, Pogacar outpacing Roglic. 

REMI CAVAGNA HONOURS HIS FRENCH CHAMPION JERSEY
First of the 146 riders to start stage 20, a 36.2km individual time trial from Lure to La Planche des belles filles, German Roger Kluge was the first of three Lotto-Soudal riders who made the bottom of the overall classification after the Alps, followed on the road by Frederik Frison and Caleb Ewan. Soon after them, Maxime Chevalier (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept), the youngest rider of the 107th Tour de France set a provisional best time until Nils Politt (Israel Start-Up Nation) dethroned him briefly before Rémi Cavagna (Deceuninck-Quick Step) became the first rider to clock in less than one hour: 57’54’’. David De La Cruz (UAE Team Emirates) set an interesting second best time and a provisional best time up the hill before the KOM contenders went in action.

Pogacar arrival being watched by Roglic teammate Tom Dumoulin

TOM DUMOULIN ON THE HOT SEAT BEFORE POGACAR ARRIVED
Cavagna remained in the lead when the top guns entered in action. Local rider Thibaut Pinot (Groupama-FDJ) set a provisional sixth best time that pleased the enormous crowd. After two hours and 53 minutes on the hot seat, Cavagna was ousted by Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma). In the fight for GC positions, Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-McLaren) quickly appeared much superior to Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), his rival for the tenth place. Dumoulin was next on the hot seat after Van Aert while Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) was on his way to overtake Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana) overall.

Pogacar finish and win of the Tour de France

PRIMOZ ROGLIC IN DISTRESS
The main fight for the yellow jersey between the two Slovenians turned to the advantage of Pogacar who already outclassed Roglic after the first 14km on the flat terrain. The youngest of the two confirmed his superiority at all time checks and became the virtual leader of the Tour de France at half way into the ascent to La Planche des belles filles. Roglic seemed to have hesitated before changing his bike after the beginning of the climb. He hadn’t saved his energy. He was just below his expected level and lost almost two minutes, being now 59’’ down on Pogacar on the eve of the grand finale in Paris. Pogacar is set to become the youngest winner of the Tour de France since the inception of the yellow jersey.

Roglic sad finish, knowing he just lost the race after weeks of wearing the yellow jersey.

STAGE RESULT

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in 55’55’’21
2. Tom Dumoulin (Team Jumbo – Visma), at 1’21’’
3. Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo), st

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in 84h26’33’’
2. Primoz Roglic (Team Jumbo – Visma) at 59’’
3. Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) at 3’30’’