The first showdown between the favorites of the 111th Tour de France has taken place. On the slopes of the Galibier, Tadej Pogacar accelerated before securing victory in the streets of Valloire on Tuesday, July 2, during the 4th stage. For this first arrival on French soil, the Slovenian beat Remco Evenepoel and his teammate Juan Ayuso.
⋅ Tadej Pogacar Claims the Double
With his solo victory, the Slovenian pulled off a remarkable feat during the 4th stage, reclaiming the yellow jersey from Richard Carapaz. Facing difficulties on the slopes of the Galibier, the Ecuadorian lost significant time, crossing the finish line five minutes following Tadej Pogacar. Other contenders for the final victory responded. Remco Evenepoel secured second place in the stage. Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard finished fourth and fifth. Overall, the Belgian sits provisionally in second place, 0”45 behind the Slovenian. Jonas Vingegaard is third, 50 seconds behind the leader.
⋅ Jonas Vingegaard Without a Teammate
In the absence of Sepp Kuss, Jonas Vingegaard’s loyal lieutenant in mountain stages, there was much speculation regarding who the Dane might rely on for assistance in the steepest ascents. The answer is… no one! In the final kilometers of the climb of the Col du Galibier, the double defending champion of the Tour de France found himself without a teammate while Tadej Pogacar had the support of Juan Ayuso and Joao Almeida. This situation might potentially disadvantage the Dane in the long run.
⋅ French Riders on the Attack, but Unrewarded
They took their chances, but it didn’t work out for them. Six Frenchmen, including David Gaudu and Warren Barguil, participated in the breakaway before being caught by the group of favorites on the climb of the Galibier. Ultimately, Guillaume Martin was the first Frenchman to cross the finish line, in 20th position, 4’01” behind Tadej Pogacar. In the overall standings, the Norman is also the highest-placed Frenchman, 4’40” behind the Slovenian (17th place).
Tadej Pogačar Takes Stage 4 Win and Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France
The 111th Tour de France is off to a thrilling start, with the first real showdown between the favorites taking place on stage 4. Tadej Pogačar, the two-time defending champion, showed his dominance, taking the stage win and reclaiming the yellow jersey from Richard Carapaz on the slopes of the Col du Galibier.
Pogačar Strikes Gold on the Galibier
Pogačar’s victory was a masterful display of strength and strategy. He launched a decisive attack on the final climb, leaving his rivals in his wake and crossing the finish line in Valloire with a commanding lead.
This win marked Pogačar’s second stage victory in the current Tour de France, demonstrating his early season form and his determination to reclaim the coveted yellow jersey.
Evenepoel and Ayuso Close the Gap
Remco Evenepoel, the reigning world champion, put in a solid performance, finishing second on the stage and moving into second place in the general classification.
Juan Ayuso, Pogačar’s teammate at UAE Team Emirates, also impressed, finishing third on the stage and showing himself to be a potential contender for the overall victory. His strong performance showcased the depth of UAE Team Emirates’ squad.
Jonas Vingegaard Faces a Challenge
Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 Tour de France champion, faced a difficult day on the Col du Galibier. He was without his key teammate, Sepp Kuss, who was forced to abandon the race due to illness.
Vingegaard’s lack of a lieutenant on the final climb proved to be a major disadvantage, as he was unable to keep pace with Pogačar and his teammates. He ultimately finished fifth on the stage, losing time to the leader and his main rivals.
French Riders Struggle for Recognition
Several French riders, including David Gaudu and Warren Barguil, attempted to break away from the peloton but were unable to stay clear of the main group. They were eventually caught on the ascent of the Galibier, their hopes of a stage win dashed.
Guillaume Martin was the best-placed French rider on the stage, finishing 20th, over four minutes behind Pogačar. He remains the top-ranked French rider in the general classification, sitting in 17th place.
Early Stage, But a Defining Day
Stage 4 of the Tour de France was a crucial day in the race for the yellow jersey. Pogačar’s victory reaffirmed his status as the favorite, while Evenepoel and Ayuso emerged as strong contenders. Vingegaard, on the other hand, faces a challenge as he navigates the mountains without his crucial support rider.
The remaining stages promise to be a battle of attrition, with the high mountain passes of the Alps and Pyrenees waiting to test the riders’ strength and resilience. The fight for the yellow jersey is just beginning, and the next few weeks will determine who emerges as the true champion of the 111th Tour de France.
