{"id":2044045,"date":"2026-07-14T20:19:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2044045"},"modified":"2026-07-14T20:19:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:19:43","slug":"peerless-pogacar-drains-tension-out-of-the-tour-de-france-as-jonas-vingegaards-losing-battle-brings-podium-scramble-into-focus-gc-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2044045","title":{"rendered":"Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-2200-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2V967amJnedskdrpB7C2bh-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/386TMaXdZFb92USQytLW6o-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/386TMaXdZFb92USQytLW6o-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: Long-range attack and crash sees the yellow jersey change hands on mountainous stage 6 of the Tour de France.\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-14T20:19:43Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n14 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Bar incident of injury, the fifth yellow jersey seems to be sewn up for imperious Slovenian, as he returns to Le Lioran with a bang<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Jonas Vingegaard on stage 10 of the Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d\">If it wasn&#8217;t already clear on the Col du Tourmalet that Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a league of his own at this year&#8217;s Tour de France, he and a rampant UAE Team Emirates-XRG made sure it was as obvious as ever on the road to Le Lioran, dominating nearly the entire final 100km to deliver their peerless talisman to another triumph.<\/p>\n<p>The one rider who has beaten him at the Tour in the past and could have been able to match him was among those well beaten on Tuesday. Even Jonas Vingegaard had no answers to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s inevitable attack on the Col de Pertus, or when it was mano a mano on the uphill drag to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After guiding the second group through to the line with gritted teeth and the pain evident all over his exhausted face, Vingegaard was empty by the time the sprint for second unfolded. Left behind in the broadcast images, the Dane looked like a defeated champion, his head dropping as he crossed the line 44 seconds after his long rival.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years ago in the same location, Vingegaard kept the Tour alive and looked like he had turned the momentum around against Poga\u010dar when he chased him down and out-sprinted him to victory in Le Lioran.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There would be no repeat as Poga\u010dar took his revenge from that day, as he did on all of the mountains that followed in 2024. From that day on, in fact, the balance has swung massively in the Slovenian&#8217;s favour, this stage just the latest example. At the time, it was Vingegaard who was the two-time defending champion; now he looks set for a third successive loss in the race for yellow.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Less explosive&#8217; Jonas Vingegaard unable to match Poga\u010dar&#8217;s punch as he narrowly defends Tour de France yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard debriefed with Danish compatriot Mattias Skjelmose en route back to the bus. After a quick cool-down on the turbo trainer, he put on a mask and spoke to the media, with his right eye slightly bloodshot and the signs of a difficult defeat all present.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so many climbs to come, including the hardest stages in the Alps, Vingegaard was right not to concede defeat yet \u2013 what kind of elite sportsman would he be if he did? But it&#8217;s clear this GC race is getting away from him, and while he may be &#8220;getting better&#8221; as the days go on, so is Poga\u010dar, and at a rate Vingegaard can&#8217;t live up to.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are 11 stages to go, so the race is not over yet, with two days to Alpe d&#8217;Huez and a brutal stage to Plateau de Solaison among those to come, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s massive 3:36 lead over his closest rival points to the opposite.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Booed at the finish, the Slovenian is on the express train to a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey, and it seems neither his rivals nor the spectators&#8217; opinions can stand in his way of winning almost every stage he can along the way.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-a-thrilling-race-for-the-podium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>A thrilling race for the podium<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5a0204a2-7fc1-11f1-b100-65f63cdd380a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel sprinted to second behind Poga\u010dar on stage 10 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5a02054c-7fc1-11f1-b28c-6788a44edcc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the race for first place isn&#8217;t as alive as nearly everyone, including the Tour&#8217;s organisers, would&#8217;ve hoped, the race for second and third is heating up nicely behind the all-conquering Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar asserts dominance with long-range attack on Col du Tourmalet for stage 6 victory and retakes yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It could be a lot worse&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard sheds another 54 seconds to Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 10 as Tour de France lead gets further away<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard, while still the second strongest climber, is clearly willing to risk second in pursuit of the overall victory, even if that isn&#8217;t the best use of his resources. Winning the Tour twice against Poga\u010dar puts him in a very different position to the rest of the top 10. He knows he can beat him; he has twice, so why should he settle for less?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, this is allowing those racing more tactically behind him to gain an advantage, with five riders sitting in Vingegaard&#8217;s wheel for much of the final 15km of Tuesday&#8217;s stage. By the time they sprinted for the remaining bonus seconds, he was spent.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remco Evenepoel took full advantage after he had been struggling on the wheels and dropping, sprinting to third and gaining 18 seconds on the Dane amid his late struggles. Now just 30 seconds behind the Visma rider, Evenepoel will be hoping to defend that gap before the stage 16 individual time trial, where he could use his favoured discipline to take control of second spot.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The big problem for Evenepoel is that he looks the weakest climber of the top seven in the Tour de France GC standings, who are \u2013 except for Poga\u010dar \u2013 only separated by 1:32. With five of the remaining 11 stages to be fought out on summit finishes, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe co-leader Florian Lipowitz actually looks the more likely to return to the Tour&#8217;s final podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While lacking the sprint of Evenepoel, Lipowitz has been the much more consistent leader for the German team, climbing at a higher level and never being dropped by those he is racing for third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other big gain for Lipowitz, Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Juan Ayuso in the race for second and third is that not only did Vingegaard take a hit on Tuesday, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lieutenant, Isaac del Toro, did too, with the Mexican struggling home for eighth on the stage and dropping four places to seventh overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was the only real sign of weakness shown by the otherwise flying UAE squad, with Adam Yates momentarily stopping the brutal pace on the penultimate climb as they tried to keep Del Toro in the group. Likely telling Poga\u010dar not to focus on him, the world champion soon made his move, off the back of Seixas&#8217; Decathlon and then Vingegaard&#8217;s Visma team, taking up the mantle of pacing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Also a debutant, Del Toro wasn&#8217;t able to match the more experienced GC riders, as 19-year-old Seixas was, who is continuing to impress. The Frenchman climbed to third on the stage and to fifth overall \u2013 it will be some time yet before the 45-year drought since Bernard Hinault brought France its last men&#8217;s Tour title, but Seixas has delivered on his potential up to this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last name who seems well in the fight for the podium is Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Juan Ayuso, who, despite having not finished a Grand Tour GC better than 68th since 2023, is looking the best he has for years at a three-week race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ayuso can back himself in the time trial, but also because he has the loyal support of Mattias Skjelmose, who has been working well for the Spaniard despite some initial reservations that they would be able to click when the former broke his UAE contract to join the German team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard will likely be too strong once the hardest climbs come into focus, but that third spot is by no means sewn up, and any one of those mentioned could well claim it. Seixas in third at his first Tour sounds about right, though, and could be the perfect balance to the tension-draining dominance that Poga\u010dar is currently subjecting the peloton to.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less explosive&#8217; Jonas Vingegaard unable to match Poga\u010dar&#8217;s punch as he narrowly defends Tour de France yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar asserts dominance with long-range attack on Col du Tourmalet for stage 6 victory and retakes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It could be a lot worse&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard sheds another 54 seconds to Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 10 as Tour de France lead gets further away<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France director hits back at Uno-X hotel criticism and reveals how hotels are shared out fairly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t immediately remember a tougher edition&#8217; \u2013 Matteo Jorgenson suffers in the Tour de France heat<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing Tour de France Femmes victory with Demi Vollering &#8216;realistic and incredibly motivating&#8217; says key lieutenant Juliette Berthet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Mini breakthrough&#8217; for Christopher Blevins in Pal Arinsal MTB World Series after return from injury<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extremely dangerous&#8217; \u2013 Teenager Paul Seixas navigates &#8216;melting&#8217; descents at Tour de France to move up to fifth overall on debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They put wood on the fire&#8217; \u2013 Is Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s popularity fading as he&#8217;s booed by &#8216;haters&#8217; at the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France director hits back at Uno-X hotel criticism and reveals how hotels are shared out fairly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Extremely dangerous&#8217; \u2013 Teenager Paul Seixas navigates &#8216;melting&#8217; descents at Tour de France to move up to fifth overall on debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-14T20:19:43Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n14 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Bar incident of injury, the fifth yellow jersey seems to be sewn up for imperious Slovenian, as he returns to Le Lioran with a bang<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Jonas Vingegaard on stage 10 of the Tour de France<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d\">If it wasn&#8217;t already clear on the Col du Tourmalet that Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a league of his own at this year&#8217;s Tour de France, he and a rampant UAE Team Emirates-XRG made sure it was as obvious as ever on the road to Le Lioran, dominating nearly the entire final 100km to deliver their peerless talisman to another triumph.<\/p>\n<p>The one rider who has beaten him at the Tour in the past and could have been able to match him was among those well beaten on Tuesday. Even Jonas Vingegaard had no answers to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s inevitable attack on the Col de Pertus, or when it was mano a mano on the uphill drag to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After guiding the second group through to the line with gritted teeth and the pain evident all over his exhausted face, Vingegaard was empty by the time the sprint for second unfolded. Left behind in the broadcast images, the Dane looked like a defeated champion, his head dropping as he crossed the line 44 seconds after his long rival.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years ago in the same location, Vingegaard kept the Tour alive and looked like he had turned the momentum around against Poga\u010dar when he chased him down and out-sprinted him to victory in Le Lioran.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There would be no repeat as Poga\u010dar took his revenge from that day, as he did on all of the mountains that followed in 2024. From that day on, in fact, the balance has swung massively in the Slovenian&#8217;s favour, this stage just the latest example. At the time, it was Vingegaard who was the two-time defending champion; now he looks set for a third successive loss in the race for yellow.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Less explosive&#8217; Jonas Vingegaard unable to match Poga\u010dar&#8217;s punch as he narrowly defends Tour de France yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard debriefed with Danish compatriot Mattias Skjelmose en route back to the bus. After a quick cool-down on the turbo trainer, he put on a mask and spoke to the media, with his right eye slightly bloodshot and the signs of a difficult defeat all present.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so many climbs to come, including the hardest stages in the Alps, Vingegaard was right not to concede defeat yet \u2013 what kind of elite sportsman would he be if he did? But it&#8217;s clear this GC race is getting away from him, and while he may be &#8220;getting better&#8221; as the days go on, so is Poga\u010dar, and at a rate Vingegaard can&#8217;t live up to.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are 11 stages to go, so the race is not over yet, with two days to Alpe d&#8217;Huez and a brutal stage to Plateau de Solaison among those to come, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s massive 3:36 lead over his closest rival points to the opposite.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Booed at the finish, the Slovenian is on the express train to a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey, and it seems neither his rivals nor the spectators&#8217; opinions can stand in his way of winning almost every stage he can along the way.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-a-thrilling-race-for-the-podium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>A thrilling race for the podium<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5a0204a2-7fc1-11f1-b100-65f63cdd380a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel sprinted to second behind Poga\u010dar on stage 10 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5a02054c-7fc1-11f1-b28c-6788a44edcc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the race for first place isn&#8217;t as alive as nearly everyone, including the Tour&#8217;s organisers, would&#8217;ve hoped, the race for second and third is heating up nicely behind the all-conquering Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar asserts dominance with long-range attack on Col du Tourmalet for stage 6 victory and retakes yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It could be a lot worse&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard sheds another 54 seconds to Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 10 as Tour de France lead gets further away<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard, while still the second strongest climber, is clearly willing to risk second in pursuit of the overall victory, even if that isn&#8217;t the best use of his resources. Winning the Tour twice against Poga\u010dar puts him in a very different position to the rest of the top 10. He knows he can beat him; he has twice, so why should he settle for less?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, this is allowing those racing more tactically behind him to gain an advantage, with five riders sitting in Vingegaard&#8217;s wheel for much of the final 15km of Tuesday&#8217;s stage. By the time they sprinted for the remaining bonus seconds, he was spent.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remco Evenepoel took full advantage after he had been struggling on the wheels and dropping, sprinting to third and gaining 18 seconds on the Dane amid his late struggles. Now just 30 seconds behind the Visma rider, Evenepoel will be hoping to defend that gap before the stage 16 individual time trial, where he could use his favoured discipline to take control of second spot.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The big problem for Evenepoel is that he looks the weakest climber of the top seven in the Tour de France GC standings, who are \u2013 except for Poga\u010dar \u2013 only separated by 1:32. With five of the remaining 11 stages to be fought out on summit finishes, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe co-leader Florian Lipowitz actually looks the more likely to return to the Tour&#8217;s final podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While lacking the sprint of Evenepoel, Lipowitz has been the much more consistent leader for the German team, climbing at a higher level and never being dropped by those he is racing for third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other big gain for Lipowitz, Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Juan Ayuso in the race for second and third is that not only did Vingegaard take a hit on Tuesday, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lieutenant, Isaac del Toro, did too, with the Mexican struggling home for eighth on the stage and dropping four places to seventh overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was the only real sign of weakness shown by the otherwise flying UAE squad, with Adam Yates momentarily stopping the brutal pace on the penultimate climb as they tried to keep Del Toro in the group. Likely telling Poga\u010dar not to focus on him, the world champion soon made his move, off the back of Seixas&#8217; Decathlon and then Vingegaard&#8217;s Visma team, taking up the mantle of pacing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Also a debutant, Del Toro wasn&#8217;t able to match the more experienced GC riders, as 19-year-old Seixas was, who is continuing to impress. The Frenchman climbed to third on the stage and to fifth overall \u2013 it will be some time yet before the 45-year drought since Bernard Hinault brought France its last men&#8217;s Tour title, but Seixas has delivered on his potential up to this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last name who seems well in the fight for the podium is Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Juan Ayuso, who, despite having not finished a Grand Tour GC better than 68th since 2023, is looking the best he has for years at a three-week race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ayuso can back himself in the time trial, but also because he has the loyal support of Mattias Skjelmose, who has been working well for the Spaniard despite some initial reservations that they would be able to click when the former broke his UAE contract to join the German team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard will likely be too strong once the hardest climbs come into focus, but that third spot is by no means sewn up, and any one of those mentioned could well claim it. Seixas in third at his first Tour sounds about right, though, and could be the perfect balance to the tension-draining dominance that Poga\u010dar is currently subjecting the peloton to.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5kc8nsofmMWAQECTbzYYw9.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">James Moultrie<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">News Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>James Moultrie is a gold-standard NCTJ journalist who joined\u00a0Cyclingnews\u00a0as a News Writer in 2023 after originally contributing as a freelancer for eight months, during which time he also wrote for Eurosport, Rouleur and Cycling Weekly. Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d\u2019Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport\u2019s top riders in Chlo\u00e9 Dygert, Lizzie Deignan and Wout van Aert. Outside of cycling, he spends the majority of his time watching other sports \u2013 rugby, football, cricket, and American Football to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Less explosive&#8217; Jonas Vingegaard unable to match Poga\u010dar&#8217;s punch as he narrowly defends Tour de France yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar asserts dominance with long-range attack on Col du Tourmalet for stage 6 victory and retakes yellow jersey<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It could be a lot worse&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard sheds another 54 seconds to Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 10 as Tour de France lead gets further away<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Racing<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France director hits back at Uno-X hotel criticism and reveals how hotels are shared out fairly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/LG6KEcmdvEyCusy9BrkMKB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar shreds the field in the Massif Central to extend GC lead and claim stage 10<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/jBqyv44iWHJwxegRyEp5fm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I can&#8217;t immediately remember a tougher edition&#8217; \u2013 Matteo Jorgenson suffers in the Tour de France heat<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FGpVkMj8UKBWMxNMGYhv5b-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Chasing Tour de France Femmes victory with Demi Vollering &#8216;realistic and incredibly motivating&#8217; says key lieutenant Juliette Berthet<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/aqxnmb3Jc3QCyvNjZwtZQB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Mini breakthrough&#8217; for Christopher Blevins in Pal Arinsal MTB World Series after return from injury<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mQbYmBSHyiAqjsAvswTZd5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/wyURmkioydvbtXnkz28DZB-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Extremely dangerous&#8217; \u2013 Teenager Paul Seixas navigates &#8216;melting&#8217; descents at Tour de France to move up to fifth overall on debut<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/47hzn6yPUVSYCmp9TyFnHX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CJxPyyhkDZUijG7x9N8xid-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EG7sbXchLsfNiyCnW9GK7d-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;They put wood on the fire&#8217; \u2013 Is Tadej Poga\u010dar&#8217;s popularity fading as he&#8217;s booed by &#8216;haters&#8217; at the Tour de France?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/DKXMpBCEpZp7jabiaFgJRi-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France director hits back at Uno-X hotel criticism and reveals how hotels are shared out fairly<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;We can fight for second&#8217; \u2013 Florian Lipowitz and Remco Evenepoel kick off Tour de France&#8217;s second week with renewed alliance<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Extremely dangerous&#8217; \u2013 Teenager Paul Seixas navigates &#8216;melting&#8217; descents at Tour de France to move up to fifth overall on debut<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He&#8217;s doing a different race than us&#8217; &#8211; Juan Ayuso is in the fight for the podium but accepts Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a race of his own<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;It would be typically Belgian just to find the negatives&#8217; &#8211; Remco Evenepoel bounces back from mini-crisis to move onto Tour de France GC podium<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>Peerless Poga\u010dar drains tension out of the Tour de France as Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s losing battle brings podium scramble into focus \u2013 GC analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nJames Moultrie <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-14T20:19:43Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n14 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Bar incident of injury, the fifth yellow jersey seems to be sewn up for imperious Slovenian, as he returns to Le Lioran with a bang<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d\">If it wasn&#8217;t already clear on the Col du Tourmalet that Tadej Poga\u010dar is in a league of his own at this year&#8217;s Tour de France, he and a rampant UAE Team Emirates-XRG made sure it was as obvious as ever on the road to Le Lioran, dominating nearly the entire final 100km to deliver their peerless talisman to another triumph.<\/p>\n<p>The one rider who has beaten him at the Tour in the past and could have been able to match him was among those well beaten on Tuesday. Even Jonas Vingegaard had no answers to Poga\u010dar&#8217;s inevitable attack on the Col de Pertus, or when it was mano a mano on the uphill drag to the finish.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-88c89254-7fbe-11f1-ad8e-db8322c77b4d-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After guiding the second group through to the line with gritted teeth and the pain evident all over his exhausted face, Vingegaard was empty by the time the sprint for second unfolded. Left behind in the broadcast images, the Dane looked like a defeated champion, his head dropping as he crossed the line 44 seconds after his long rival.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two years ago in the same location, Vingegaard kept the Tour alive and looked like he had turned the momentum around against Poga\u010dar when he chased him down and out-sprinted him to victory in Le Lioran.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There would be no repeat as Poga\u010dar took his revenge from that day, as he did on all of the mountains that followed in 2024. From that day on, in fact, the balance has swung massively in the Slovenian&#8217;s favour, this stage just the latest example. At the time, it was Vingegaard who was the two-time defending champion; now he looks set for a third successive loss in the race for yellow.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/9YLRsK37z2nqD5PK8ch8FB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Less explosive&#8217; Jonas Vingegaard unable to match Poga\u010dar&#8217;s punch as he narrowly defends Tour de France yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bJSFVkodwVvGjKmmDG6zKj-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">The importance of a Tadej Poga\u010dar gift in the race against Vingegaard for Tour de France supremacy \u2013 Barcelona Grand D\u00e9part GC analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/AKsq7UdgjoqS4t6Nqah8qF-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard debriefed with Danish compatriot Mattias Skjelmose en route back to the bus. After a quick cool-down on the turbo trainer, he put on a mask and spoke to the media, with his right eye slightly bloodshot and the signs of a difficult defeat all present.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With so many climbs to come, including the hardest stages in the Alps, Vingegaard was right not to concede defeat yet \u2013 what kind of elite sportsman would he be if he did? But it&#8217;s clear this GC race is getting away from him, and while he may be &#8220;getting better&#8221; as the days go on, so is Poga\u010dar, and at a rate Vingegaard can&#8217;t live up to.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-AF75wjRpZgjSXnnsjS6HMS slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are 11 stages to go, so the race is not over yet, with two days to Alpe d&#8217;Huez and a brutal stage to Plateau de Solaison among those to come, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s massive 3:36 lead over his closest rival points to the opposite.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Booed at the finish, the Slovenian is on the express train to a record-equalling fifth yellow jersey, and it seems neither his rivals nor the spectators&#8217; opinions can stand in his way of winning almost every stage he can along the way.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-body__section kiosq-b\" id=\"section-a-thrilling-race-for-the-podium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>A thrilling race for the podium<\/span><\/h3>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-5a0204a2-7fc1-11f1-b100-65f63cdd380a\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/YxxfTJK9oWaExrMXwvMkKf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Remco Evenepoel sprinted to second behind Poga\u010dar on stage 10 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5a02054c-7fc1-11f1-b28c-6788a44edcc7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If the race for first place isn&#8217;t as alive as nearly everyone, including the Tour&#8217;s organisers, would&#8217;ve hoped, the race for second and third is heating up nicely behind the all-conquering Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/smBbJoNnDUzKdjh4tU7TyQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Tour de France: Tadej Poga\u010dar asserts dominance with long-range attack on Col du Tourmalet for stage 6 victory and retakes yellow jersey<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JckirvnjsQA8uGQFxTWeb7-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;It could be a lot worse&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard sheds another 54 seconds to Tadej Poga\u010dar on stage 10 as Tour de France lead gets further away<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard, while still the second strongest climber, is clearly willing to risk second in pursuit of the overall victory, even if that isn&#8217;t the best use of his resources. Winning the Tour twice against Poga\u010dar puts him in a very different position to the rest of the top 10. He knows he can beat him; he has twice, so why should he settle for less?<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, this is allowing those racing more tactically behind him to gain an advantage, with five riders sitting in Vingegaard&#8217;s wheel for much of the final 15km of Tuesday&#8217;s stage. By the time they sprinted for the remaining bonus seconds, he was spent.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Remco Evenepoel took full advantage after he had been struggling on the wheels and dropping, sprinting to third and gaining 18 seconds on the Dane amid his late struggles. Now just 30 seconds behind the Visma rider, Evenepoel will be hoping to defend that gap before the stage 16 individual time trial, where he could use his favoured discipline to take control of second spot.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The big problem for Evenepoel is that he looks the weakest climber of the top seven in the Tour de France GC standings, who are \u2013 except for Poga\u010dar \u2013 only separated by 1:32. With five of the remaining 11 stages to be fought out on summit finishes, his Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe co-leader Florian Lipowitz actually looks the more likely to return to the Tour&#8217;s final podium.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While lacking the sprint of Evenepoel, Lipowitz has been the much more consistent leader for the German team, climbing at a higher level and never being dropped by those he is racing for third.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other big gain for Lipowitz, Evenepoel, Paul Seixas and Juan Ayuso in the race for second and third is that not only did Vingegaard take a hit on Tuesday, but Poga\u010dar&#8217;s lieutenant, Isaac del Toro, did too, with the Mexican struggling home for eighth on the stage and dropping four places to seventh overall.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It was the only real sign of weakness shown by the otherwise flying UAE squad, with Adam Yates momentarily stopping the brutal pace on the penultimate climb as they tried to keep Del Toro in the group. Likely telling Poga\u010dar not to focus on him, the world champion soon made his move, off the back of Seixas&#8217; Decathlon and then Vingegaard&#8217;s Visma team, taking up the mantle of pacing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Also a debutant, Del Toro wasn&#8217;t able to match the more experienced GC riders, as 19-year-old Seixas was, who is continuing to impress. The Frenchman climbed to third on the stage and to fifth overall \u2013 it will be some time yet before the 45-year drought since Bernard Hinault brought France its last men&#8217;s Tour title, but Seixas has delivered on his potential up to this point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The last name who seems well in the fight for the podium is Lidl-Trek&#8217;s Juan Ayuso, who, despite having not finished a Grand Tour GC better than 68th since 2023, is looking the best he has for years at a three-week race.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ayuso can back himself in the time trial, but also because he has the loyal support of Mattias Skjelmose, who has been working well for the Spaniard despite some initial reservations that they would be able to click when the former broke his UAE contract to join the German team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Vingegaard will likely be too strong once the hardest climbs come into focus, but that third spot is by no means sewn up, and any one of those mentioned could well claim it. Seixas in third at his first Tour sounds about right, though, and could be the perfect balance to the tension-draining dominance that Poga\u010dar is currently subjecting the peloton to.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/peerless-pogacar-drains-tension-out-of-the-tour-de-france-as-jonas-vingegaards-losing-battle-brings-podium-scramble-into-focus-gc-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/r9fHLJ4q3CUrcC2mEGwsbf-2200-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 &#8216;Thanks to the GC contenders for this respect&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar says agreement has been reached by favourites to sit at the back and stay safe on Tour de France sprint finishes 2 Tour de France GC standings \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar extends race lead with attack on stage 10 3 As [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2044045","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044045","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2044045"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044045\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2044045"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2044045"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2044045"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}