Pogačar holds yellow jersey, 5’18” up on Uran
Wednesday 7 July, 2021
Tadej Pogačar took home 4th place and defended his lead on the 11th stage of the Tour de France, on the 198.9 km from Sorgues to Malaucene which was marked by the double climb of Mont Ventoux.
The yellow jersey finished the stage at 1’38 “from the winner Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), the latter taking the win after a solo escape.
Pogačar, after losing the wheel of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) on the second ascent , descended the 20 km towards the finish in the company of Richard Carapaz ( Ineos-Grenadiers) and Rigoberto Uran (Ef-Nippo), with the trio collaborating to catch the Dane.
In the overall standings, the UAE Team Emirates leader holds an advantage 5’18 “over Rigoberto Uran and with 5’32” over Jonas Vingegaard.
Pogačar: “The pace was very strong throughout the climb and when Vingegaard attacked in the final, I couldn’t keep up with him, as he was pushing hard .
I kept my composure, I knew that the summit was not far and I concentrated on keeping a decent rhythm and still having the energy in my legs to push downhill.
We worked well with Uran and Carapaz and returned. I am not surprised by Vingegaard, because he has always proved to be one of the strongest climbers. Here at the Tour there are no easy days and also tomorrow we will probably have to deal with the wind ”.
The 12th stage will be a lumpy 159.4 km from Saint Paul Trois Chateaux to Nimes.
Stage 11 results
- Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 5h17’43 ”
- Kenny Elissonde (Trek-Segafredo) 1’14 ”
- Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) s.t.
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 1’38 ”
General classification after the 11th stage
- Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 43h44’38 “
- Rigoberto Uran (Ef-Nippo) 5’18 ”
- Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 5’32 “
