Cycling: Tadej Pogacar has also won the 20th stage of the Tour de France, proving once again that he is the dominator of the 2024 Tour de France. In the battle for second place, Jonas Vingegaard is now clearly ahead of Remco Evenepoel.
Pogacar doesn't give Vingegaard a chance
The queen stage of the Tour de France also went to Tadej Pogacar (UAE). The Slovenian prevailed on the 132,8-kilometer stage from Nice to the Col de la Couillole, beating Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike) and once again underlining his dominance in this year's Tour de France. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) had tried everything to gain time on the Dane, but ultimately the Belgian was beaten. The order of the top three in the general classification now appears to be firmly established. While Biniam Girmay (Intermarché – Wanty) won the points classification, Richard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost) can celebrate taking the mountains classification.
Soudal – Quick-Step sets the pace in the field
Even today, well over 20 riders managed to break away from the peloton, at least temporarily, after the start. After the Col de Braus, the Col de Turini, and the Col de la Colmiane, ten riders remained in the breakaway, including Enric Mas (Movistar), Richard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost), and Wilco Kelderman (Visma – Lease a Bike). UAE Team Emirates initially controlled the peloton, but without making any real attempt to catch the breakaway. Later, Soudal – Quick-Step took over the pace. Thus, the gap to the breakaway was still just under three minutes at the foot of the Col de la Couillole.
Rodriguez falls back early
Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) had another bad day today . The Spaniard started the Tour de France as a podium contender, but his good form has steadily declined in recent stages. Today, he dropped back at the start of the final climb and was joined by two of his teammates. Mikel Landa 's (Soudal – Quick-Step) relentless pace gradually caught his rivals as well. Seven kilometers from the finish, Remo Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) launched his attack. But the Belgian couldn't shake Joao Almeida (UAE), Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike), and of course, Tadej Pogacar (UAE).
Vingegaard beats Evenepoel
Four kilometers from the finish, Remco Evenepoel (Soudal – Quick-Step) launched another attack to shake off Jonas Vingegaard (Visma – Lease a Bike) in the battle for second place overall. But the Dane refused to be shaken off. On the contrary: immediately after the attack, he launched a counter-attack. Vingegaard instantly opened up a gap to his rival, and only Tadej Pogacar (UAE) could stay on his wheel. As the gap to the chasing pack widened, the lead of the previous leaders, Enric Mas (Movistar) and Richard Carapaz (EF Education – EasyPost), dwindled. Barely caught, the two former leaders were dropped. In the final sprint – which could hardly be called a sprint – Pogacar left Vingegaard no chance.
A vitória de Pogacar on etapa 20 #TDF2024 #ciclismonaespn #tourdefrancenaespn pic.twitter.com/Y9Lt84gAxO
— O País Do Ciclismo #tdf2024 (@opaisdociclismo) July 20, 2024