Pogacar extends lead with stage 14 win in Pyrenees

Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar extended his overall lead in the Tour de France with a dominant victory on stage 14 in the Pyrenees.

UAE-Team Emirates’ Pogacar, resplendent in the yellow jersey he has worn every day since stage four, powered up the Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet summit finish, crossing the line 39 seconds ahead of defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark.

Vingegaard, of Visma-Lease a Bike, chased Pogacar up the final mountain climb after the Slovenian attacked aggressively with 5km to go, but could not hold on to his wheel.

Vingegaard did, however, move into second place in the overall general classification after Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel lost time, finishing third on a stage which also included the legendary Col du Tourmalet climb.

Vingegaard now trails Pogacar by one minute 57 seconds, with Evenepoel a further 25 seconds back.

After two flat stages, the race headed back into the mountains, where the general classification contenders are set to battle it out over the weekend before enjoying a rest day on Monday.

UAE came into the 151.9km stage from Pau looking to maintain Pogacar’s lead, which was 66 seconds over Evenepoel at the start of day, with Vingegaard eight seconds further back.

Ireland’s Ben Healy was part of a breakaway group which led the way on the 19km ascent of the Col du Tourmalet, with Movistar’s Spanish rider Oier Lazkano claiming the honour of being the first to summit.

Pogacar’s team-mates set the pace at the front of the peloton, bringing the break back within reach of the leaders at the start of the day’s third and final climb – to the Pla d’Adet ski resort.

With 7km to go, UAE sensed the opportunity to go for the stage win and extend Pogacar’s lead and sent Adam Yates up the road to help bridge the gap.

Pogacar then launched an explosive attack to join Yates before passing Healy, with Vingegaard and Evenepoel battling to stay in touch.

But Pogacar raced clear to send his GC rivals a message as they prepare to spend another day in the mountains on Sunday.

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 4hrs 1mins 52secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +39secs

3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal-Quick-Step) +1min 10secs

4. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +1:19

5. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) +1:23

6. Santiago Buitrago (Col/Bahrain Victorious) Same time

7. Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates)

8. Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R-La Mondiale) +1:26

9. Matteo Jorgenson (USA/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1:29

10. Derek Gee (Can/Israel-Premier Tech) Same time

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 56hrs 42mins 39secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 57secs

3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal-Quick Step) +2mins 22secs

4. Joao Almeida (Por/UAE Team Emirates) +6mins 1sec

5. Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) +6mins 9secs

6. Mikel Landa (Spa/Soudal-Quick Step) +7mins 17secs

7. Adam Yates (GB/UAE Team Emirates) +8mins 32secs

8. Giulio Ciccone (Ita/Lidl-Trek) +9mins 9secs

9. Derek Gee (Can/Israel- Premier Tech) +9mins 33secs

10. Matteo Jorgenson (USA/Visma-Lease a Bike) +9mins 18secs