The Dane Jonas Vingegaard from Team Jumbo-Visma secured victory on the demanding 11th stage of the Tour. Tadej Pogacar showed weaknesses for the first time and lost the yellow jersey to Vingegaard.
On the mountain stage over 152 km from Albertville on the Col du Granon Serre Chevalier attacked Vingegaard on the final piece and brought his attack to the target courageously and impressively. Second place went to Nairo Quintana from Colombia, third was the Frenchman Romain Bardetwho climbed to second place overall. “I’ve always dreamed of this”said a visibly touched Jonas Vingegaard, “We wanted to make it super tough as a team from the start of the stage. It would never have worked out like this without my team.”
From a German point of view, Simon Geschke saved his mountain jersey for another day over the high mountain giants. Lennard Kämna, who had finished second in the overall standings the day before, lost 28:45 minutes on Wednesday and crossed the finish line in 62nd place. The Bora-hansgrohe driver fell back to 21st place in the tour rankings.
But the stars of the industry provided the famous spectacle at around 30 degrees – and that’s when the tour experienced a huge surprise.
Pogacar fends off all attacks – until the final climb
Throughout the stage, race leader Pogacar’s pursuers attacked on the climbs to Telegraph Pass and the 2642 meter high Col du Galibieralso on the final ascent to the finish at the 2413 m high Col du Granon. But the Slovenian fended off all attacks first.
When Jonas Vingegaard launched his final attack about five kilometers from the finish, the 23-year-old had nothing to counter for the first time. Vingegaard won, Geraint Thomas, Romain Bardet, David Gaudu or Nairo Quintana – all the co-favorites literally left Pogacar standing on the mountain. The Slovenian staggered precariously, his jersey completely torn open. It was the biggest defeat in his young career. The UAE professional conceded this Wednesday in seventh place 2 min 51 sec. on the final climb, is now 2:22 behind Vingegaard in the overall standings.
King’s stage in the Alps up to Alpe d’Huez
The twelfth stage on the French national holiday offers the provisional highlight of this year’s tour: the riders have to conquer three mountains of the highest category over 4,750 meters in altitude, crowned by the final climb into the legendary Alpe d’Huez.