{"id":2052569,"date":"2026-07-20T11:35:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T08:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052569"},"modified":"2026-07-20T11:35:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T08:35:54","slug":"the-final-week-of-the-tour-de-france-will-look-completely-different-now-that-vingegaard-is-out-philippa-york-analysis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2052569","title":{"rendered":"The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-2000-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPhilippa York <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T11:35:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist weighs in on &#8216;intrusive&#8217; early-hours drug testing, and how the podium battle plays out without Poga\u010dar&#8217;s biggest threat<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Philippa York expects a drastically different tactical battle as the Tour heads into the Alps<\/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-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5\">The Tour de France thrives on a close rivalry, and the removal of the only constant in the challenge to Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s dominance \u2013 after Jonas Vingegaard crashed out on stage 15 \u2013 means a reset not only in the GC group but also in how the race will be conducted during the final week.<\/p>\n<p>But before looking ahead, it&#8217;s worth reflecting on the last six stages and the conclusions that we can draw from them.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It seems like a long time ago now, but the second week began, in an almost routine manner, with a Poga\u010dar stage win. In his usual style, he kept the break in check and then attacked on the penultimate climb, passing a valiant Richard Carapaz and soloing to the finish. Behind, Vingegaard gave chase but had little help from the others in his group before they all jumped him in sight of the finish line. They were not strong enough to collaborate with the Visma-Lease a Bike leader, but strangely reinvigorated when the line came into sight. It has been, up until his untimely exit, an all-too-familiar tale in pursuit of Poga\u010dar. However, with Vingegaard&#8217;s abandonment, it&#8217;s an option for the podium contenders that no longer exists, and that is going to change so many tactics.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca1f40f0-8427-11f1-84de-e577d01e12ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another pair of stage wins for Poga\u010dar is no surprise in the second week, and neither was another sprint victory for Tim Merlier despite Alpecin-Premier Tech having the best leadout train. They still haven\u2019t got their timing right for Philipsen at the stage finishes, which was something that S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold took advantage of in Nevers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After holding the race lead in the first week, another Uno-X Mobility celebration on day 12 was a refreshing change to the status quo of the usual names grabbing the limelight.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there was the tricky route to Belfort and a Pinarello-Q36.5 plan to put Tom Pidcock fully into the GC fight. Up until then, Pidcock had been hiding just outside the top 10, but a super day and equally super teammates changed things completely. He took a chance, and it paid off, climbing to fourth on GC, which must have been a wake-up call for the guys he leapfrogged in the overall classification.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f400a-8427-11f1-9e74-793261c9f06d\" 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\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard crashed on the exit of a roundabout inside the final 25km of stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-28568daa-8427-11f1-adb5-43359ba26a81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-28568e22-8427-11f1-a0d1-41dea2f001fd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An even bigger fright came the next day when the Briton sneezed into the escape again, and what could have been a day of relative calm became another stage that increased both stress levels and fatigue. Though it was probably not the best decision to go in the break when a GC race is mainly about patience and choosing when to commit fully, it was a sign that, for Pidcock, this Tour is as much about seeking a stage win as it is about testing where he is in the Grand Tour hierarchy and noting what can be worked on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s the satisfaction element to take into consideration because there\u2019s no joy in being dragged around for three weeks with no real influence on proceedings. I don\u2019t think that is something Pidcock would even contemplate, so no surprise he tried again on the first proper mountain top finish heading into the second rest day. This was definitely an effort too far, which was shown by his capitulation on the slopes of Plateau de Solaison, losing nearly four minutes inside the last 4km. He has some decisions to make on the rest day concerning how hard he rides the upcoming time trial and how much energy he should save for the Alpe d\u2019Huez days in the second half of the week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that Visma-Lease a Bike no longer have Vingegaard in the race, their contributions at the head of affairs will end, and they\u2019ll be in the stage-hunting battle along with the likes of EF Education-EasyPost and Jayco-AlUla. The big groups of attackers we have seen in the middle week might have been successful only once, when Mauro Schmid outsprinted Harold Tejada on stage 13, but that\u2019ll change as there\u2019s a reshuffling in the podium game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I have to admit that I didn\u2019t have Remco Evenepoel on my bingo card for the win on stage 15, given he had been struggling on the longer climbs earlier in the race and I thought the Sal\u00e8ve climb was going to hurt him more than his direct rivals, but what a pleasant surprise and what a way to silence his critics in the Belgian media. It was a great ride and a great sprint to beat the UAE duo of Poga\u010dar and Del Toro.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f41f4-8427-11f1-acbf-c3114d6b9def\" 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\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Evenepoel raises his arms in delight after pipping Poga\u010dar to stage 15 victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6d03baf0-8426-11f1-9253-715945af4916\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I do wonder just how much the result was affected by Vingegaard&#8217;s crash because Poga\u010dar looked quite subdued. Although he rode to distance Paul Seixas, moving Del Toro into the lead of the youth classification, he didn\u2019t seem totally concentrated on ensuring another stage win. Evenepoel, in contrasting fashion, was clearly motivated and on a super day, which bodes very well for Tuesday&#8217;s time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019ll be interesting to see how Seixas reacts now that he is deep into unknown territory \u2013 with no experience of how his body is going to cope in a third consecutive week of racing. So far he\u2019s been solid, but the Vingegaard situation removes one of the reference points for him and Decathlon CMA CGM to manage their efforts.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking at the green jersey competition, and while Mads Pedersen might seem a fairly safe bet to have the jersey tied up, it is far from decided. He had an 88-point lead over Jasper Philipsen at the conclusion of stage 10, but six days later, that has been reduced to only 31. That is considerably less comfortable. With Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso fairly steady in their GC positions, Lidl-Trek could change how they manage their resources in support of Pedersen. They certainly can\u2019t let another panic happen, like the stage 13 fiasco, when they missed Philipsen placing himself in Pidcock&#8217;s breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with the race tactics and the consequences of the crashes, there\u2019s the question of the 2am drug testing to deal with too. Yes, there\u2019s a need to conduct the controls, and yes, they can be a surprise; however, there needs to be better judgment of when they happen. After midnight seems a really intrusive choice, to the point that it shows a lack of respect for the athlete. When you realise that Tadej Poga\u010dar would have been tested after the stage already, and to go through that again barely eight hours later seems strange.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are human rights issues involved that the PCA ought to be making clear to the UCI; there\u2019s monitoring, and then there\u2019s intrusion, which I feel is what happened on this occasion. Will Evenepoel and Seixas be getting the same treatment in the coming days is a question that immediately springs to mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-jdArNEQZpXse5T2X6PBczG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-jdArNEQZpXse5T2X6PBczG 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\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.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\">Philippa York<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Philippa York is a long-standing <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980&#8217;s, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists \u2013 and cycling fans \u2013 from the UK.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagn\u00e8res-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The following year&#8217;s race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain&#8217;s highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and \u00c1lvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d&#8217;Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 Lib\u00e9r\u00e9 (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/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 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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\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/d8axjyasS74KwpXC6eVcpM.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\">FDJ United-SUEZ score victory in Kate Courtney&#8217;s first race as Van Agt takes first pro win<\/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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nele Laing and Jonas Lindberg claim victory at 3Rides Gravel Winterberg<\/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\">\u2018There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better\u2019 \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France<\/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\">The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?<\/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\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPhilippa York <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T11:35:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist weighs in on &#8216;intrusive&#8217; early-hours drug testing, and how the podium battle plays out without Poga\u010dar&#8217;s biggest threat<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-2000-80.png.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1440-80.png.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">Philippa York expects a drastically different tactical battle as the Tour heads into the Alps<\/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-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5\">The Tour de France thrives on a close rivalry, and the removal of the only constant in the challenge to Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s dominance \u2013 after Jonas Vingegaard crashed out on stage 15 \u2013 means a reset not only in the GC group but also in how the race will be conducted during the final week.<\/p>\n<p>But before looking ahead, it&#8217;s worth reflecting on the last six stages and the conclusions that we can draw from them.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It seems like a long time ago now, but the second week began, in an almost routine manner, with a Poga\u010dar stage win. In his usual style, he kept the break in check and then attacked on the penultimate climb, passing a valiant Richard Carapaz and soloing to the finish. Behind, Vingegaard gave chase but had little help from the others in his group before they all jumped him in sight of the finish line. They were not strong enough to collaborate with the Visma-Lease a Bike leader, but strangely reinvigorated when the line came into sight. It has been, up until his untimely exit, an all-too-familiar tale in pursuit of Poga\u010dar. However, with Vingegaard&#8217;s abandonment, it&#8217;s an option for the podium contenders that no longer exists, and that is going to change so many tactics.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca1f40f0-8427-11f1-84de-e577d01e12ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another pair of stage wins for Poga\u010dar is no surprise in the second week, and neither was another sprint victory for Tim Merlier despite Alpecin-Premier Tech having the best leadout train. They still haven\u2019t got their timing right for Philipsen at the stage finishes, which was something that S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold took advantage of in Nevers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After holding the race lead in the first week, another Uno-X Mobility celebration on day 12 was a refreshing change to the status quo of the usual names grabbing the limelight.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there was the tricky route to Belfort and a Pinarello-Q36.5 plan to put Tom Pidcock fully into the GC fight. Up until then, Pidcock had been hiding just outside the top 10, but a super day and equally super teammates changed things completely. He took a chance, and it paid off, climbing to fourth on GC, which must have been a wake-up call for the guys he leapfrogged in the overall classification.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f400a-8427-11f1-9e74-793261c9f06d\" 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\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard crashed on the exit of a roundabout inside the final 25km of stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-28568daa-8427-11f1-adb5-43359ba26a81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-28568e22-8427-11f1-a0d1-41dea2f001fd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An even bigger fright came the next day when the Briton sneezed into the escape again, and what could have been a day of relative calm became another stage that increased both stress levels and fatigue. Though it was probably not the best decision to go in the break when a GC race is mainly about patience and choosing when to commit fully, it was a sign that, for Pidcock, this Tour is as much about seeking a stage win as it is about testing where he is in the Grand Tour hierarchy and noting what can be worked on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s the satisfaction element to take into consideration because there\u2019s no joy in being dragged around for three weeks with no real influence on proceedings. I don\u2019t think that is something Pidcock would even contemplate, so no surprise he tried again on the first proper mountain top finish heading into the second rest day. This was definitely an effort too far, which was shown by his capitulation on the slopes of Plateau de Solaison, losing nearly four minutes inside the last 4km. He has some decisions to make on the rest day concerning how hard he rides the upcoming time trial and how much energy he should save for the Alpe d\u2019Huez days in the second half of the week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that Visma-Lease a Bike no longer have Vingegaard in the race, their contributions at the head of affairs will end, and they\u2019ll be in the stage-hunting battle along with the likes of EF Education-EasyPost and Jayco-AlUla. The big groups of attackers we have seen in the middle week might have been successful only once, when Mauro Schmid outsprinted Harold Tejada on stage 13, but that\u2019ll change as there\u2019s a reshuffling in the podium game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I have to admit that I didn\u2019t have Remco Evenepoel on my bingo card for the win on stage 15, given he had been struggling on the longer climbs earlier in the race and I thought the Sal\u00e8ve climb was going to hurt him more than his direct rivals, but what a pleasant surprise and what a way to silence his critics in the Belgian media. It was a great ride and a great sprint to beat the UAE duo of Poga\u010dar and Del Toro.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f41f4-8427-11f1-acbf-c3114d6b9def\" 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\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Evenepoel raises his arms in delight after pipping Poga\u010dar to stage 15 victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6d03baf0-8426-11f1-9253-715945af4916\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I do wonder just how much the result was affected by Vingegaard&#8217;s crash because Poga\u010dar looked quite subdued. Although he rode to distance Paul Seixas, moving Del Toro into the lead of the youth classification, he didn\u2019t seem totally concentrated on ensuring another stage win. Evenepoel, in contrasting fashion, was clearly motivated and on a super day, which bodes very well for Tuesday&#8217;s time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019ll be interesting to see how Seixas reacts now that he is deep into unknown territory \u2013 with no experience of how his body is going to cope in a third consecutive week of racing. So far he\u2019s been solid, but the Vingegaard situation removes one of the reference points for him and Decathlon CMA CGM to manage their efforts.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking at the green jersey competition, and while Mads Pedersen might seem a fairly safe bet to have the jersey tied up, it is far from decided. He had an 88-point lead over Jasper Philipsen at the conclusion of stage 10, but six days later, that has been reduced to only 31. That is considerably less comfortable. With Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso fairly steady in their GC positions, Lidl-Trek could change how they manage their resources in support of Pedersen. They certainly can\u2019t let another panic happen, like the stage 13 fiasco, when they missed Philipsen placing himself in Pidcock&#8217;s breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with the race tactics and the consequences of the crashes, there\u2019s the question of the 2am drug testing to deal with too. Yes, there\u2019s a need to conduct the controls, and yes, they can be a surprise; however, there needs to be better judgment of when they happen. After midnight seems a really intrusive choice, to the point that it shows a lack of respect for the athlete. When you realise that Tadej Poga\u010dar would have been tested after the stage already, and to go through that again barely eight hours later seems strange.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are human rights issues involved that the PCA ought to be making clear to the UCI; there\u2019s monitoring, and then there\u2019s intrusion, which I feel is what happened on this occasion. Will Evenepoel and Seixas be getting the same treatment in the coming days is a question that immediately springs to mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Premium In-Depth Racing<\/p>\n<p>Premium Columns<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-jdArNEQZpXse5T2X6PBczG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-jdArNEQZpXse5T2X6PBczG 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\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/4Ci2ntxBH7J9gCS8kMoyng.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\">Philippa York<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Philippa York is a long-standing <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> contributor, providing expert racing analysis. As one of the early British racers to take the plunge and relocate to France with the famed ACBB club in the 1980&#8217;s, she was the inspiration for a generation of racing cyclists \u2013 and cycling fans \u2013 from the UK.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The Glaswegian gained a contract with Peugeot in 1980, making her Tour de France debut in 1983 and taking a solo win in Bagn\u00e8res-de-Luchon in the Pyrenees, the mountain range which would prove a happy hunting ground throughout her Tour career.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>The following year&#8217;s race would prove to be one of her finest seasons, becoming the first rider from the UK to win the polka dot jersey at the Tour, whilst also becoming Britain&#8217;s highest-ever placed GC finisher with 4th spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>She finished runner-up at the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a in 1985 and 1986, to Pedro Delgado and \u00c1lvaro Pino respectively, and at the Giro d&#8217;Italia in 1987. Stage race victories include the Volta a Catalunya (1985), Tour of Britain (1989) and Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 Lib\u00e9r\u00e9 (1990). York retired from professional cycling as reigning British champion following the collapse of Le Groupement in 1995.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><\/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 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">FDJ United-SUEZ score victory in Kate Courtney&#8217;s first race as Van Agt takes first pro win<\/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\">UCI Gravel World Series: Nele Laing and Jonas Lindberg claim victory at 3Rides Gravel Winterberg<\/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\">\u2018There was a misunderstanding, but Remco was better\u2019 \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar\u00a0suffers a rare defeat as he turns domestique at Tour de France<\/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\">The lost art of time trialing \u2013 Is the Tour de France slowly phasing out the race against the clock?<\/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\">Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/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<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis<\/h1>\n<div class=\"kiosq-member-label\" data-component-name=\"Article:Hero:KiosqPaywallLabels\"><span class=\"kiosq-member-label-text\"><br \/>\nMEMBER EXCLUSIVE<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\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-center mx-auto max-sm:text-center max-sm:items-center\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nPhilippa York <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta max-sm:justify-center\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-20T11:35:54Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n20 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist weighs in on &#8216;intrusive&#8217; early-hours drug testing, and how the podium battle plays out without Poga\u010dar&#8217;s biggest threat<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-center text-center\" 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 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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-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5\">The Tour de France thrives on a close rivalry, and the removal of the only constant in the challenge to Tadej Poga\u010dar\u2019s dominance \u2013 after Jonas Vingegaard crashed out on stage 15 \u2013 means a reset not only in the GC group but also in how the race will be conducted during the final week.<\/p>\n<p>But before looking ahead, it&#8217;s worth reflecting on the last six stages and the conclusions that we can draw from them.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-54437c94-8426-11f1-95de-b3bbc3549fb5-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It seems like a long time ago now, but the second week began, in an almost routine manner, with a Poga\u010dar stage win. In his usual style, he kept the break in check and then attacked on the penultimate climb, passing a valiant Richard Carapaz and soloing to the finish. Behind, Vingegaard gave chase but had little help from the others in his group before they all jumped him in sight of the finish line. They were not strong enough to collaborate with the Visma-Lease a Bike leader, but strangely reinvigorated when the line came into sight. It has been, up until his untimely exit, an all-too-familiar tale in pursuit of Poga\u010dar. However, with Vingegaard&#8217;s abandonment, it&#8217;s an option for the podium contenders that no longer exists, and that is going to change so many tactics.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-ca1f40f0-8427-11f1-84de-e577d01e12ca\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Another pair of stage wins for Poga\u010dar is no surprise in the second week, and neither was another sprint victory for Tim Merlier despite Alpecin-Premier Tech having the best leadout train. They still haven\u2019t got their timing right for Philipsen at the stage finishes, which was something that S\u00f8ren W\u00e6renskjold took advantage of in Nevers.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">After holding the race lead in the first week, another Uno-X Mobility celebration on day 12 was a refreshing change to the status quo of the usual names grabbing the limelight.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there was the tricky route to Belfort and a Pinarello-Q36.5 plan to put Tom Pidcock fully into the GC fight. Up until then, Pidcock had been hiding just outside the top 10, but a super day and equally super teammates changed things completely. He took a chance, and it paid off, climbing to fourth on GC, which must have been a wake-up call for the guys he leapfrogged in the overall classification.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f400a-8427-11f1-9e74-793261c9f06d\" 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\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zFchhNtsTbFfNi6L66gpxR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Vingegaard crashed on the exit of a roundabout inside the final 25km of stage 15 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-28568daa-8427-11f1-adb5-43359ba26a81\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">Read more Tour columns &amp; opinion<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\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\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/EbyG7DjfMYM2Qv4t2tpqGo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>I can&#8217;t understand why UAE Team Emirates-XRG are riding so much, but Poga\u010dar is so good that he will correct any mistakes in the Alps &#8211; Sean Kelly&#8217;s Tour column<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-28568e22-8427-11f1-a0d1-41dea2f001fd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An even bigger fright came the next day when the Briton sneezed into the escape again, and what could have been a day of relative calm became another stage that increased both stress levels and fatigue. Though it was probably not the best decision to go in the break when a GC race is mainly about patience and choosing when to commit fully, it was a sign that, for Pidcock, this Tour is as much about seeking a stage win as it is about testing where he is in the Grand Tour hierarchy and noting what can be worked on.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Then there\u2019s the satisfaction element to take into consideration because there\u2019s no joy in being dragged around for three weeks with no real influence on proceedings. I don\u2019t think that is something Pidcock would even contemplate, so no surprise he tried again on the first proper mountain top finish heading into the second rest day. This was definitely an effort too far, which was shown by his capitulation on the slopes of Plateau de Solaison, losing nearly four minutes inside the last 4km. He has some decisions to make on the rest day concerning how hard he rides the upcoming time trial and how much energy he should save for the Alpe d\u2019Huez days in the second half of the week.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Now that Visma-Lease a Bike no longer have Vingegaard in the race, their contributions at the head of affairs will end, and they\u2019ll be in the stage-hunting battle along with the likes of EF Education-EasyPost and Jayco-AlUla. The big groups of attackers we have seen in the middle week might have been successful only once, when Mauro Schmid outsprinted Harold Tejada on stage 13, but that\u2019ll change as there\u2019s a reshuffling in the podium game.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I have to admit that I didn\u2019t have Remco Evenepoel on my bingo card for the win on stage 15, given he had been struggling on the longer climbs earlier in the race and I thought the Sal\u00e8ve climb was going to hurt him more than his direct rivals, but what a pleasant surprise and what a way to silence his critics in the Belgian media. It was a great ride and a great sprint to beat the UAE duo of Poga\u010dar and Del Toro.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure full-width-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-ca1f41f4-8427-11f1-acbf-c3114d6b9def\" 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\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-2000-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1440-80.jpg.webp 1440w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JwN5RDmMyzTHQpxvayT399-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"100vw\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" full-width-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Evenepoel raises his arms in delight after pipping Poga\u010dar to stage 15 victory <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-6d03baf0-8426-11f1-9253-715945af4916\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">I do wonder just how much the result was affected by Vingegaard&#8217;s crash because Poga\u010dar looked quite subdued. Although he rode to distance Paul Seixas, moving Del Toro into the lead of the youth classification, he didn\u2019t seem totally concentrated on ensuring another stage win. Evenepoel, in contrasting fashion, was clearly motivated and on a super day, which bodes very well for Tuesday&#8217;s time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It\u2019ll be interesting to see how Seixas reacts now that he is deep into unknown territory \u2013 with no experience of how his body is going to cope in a third consecutive week of racing. So far he\u2019s been solid, but the Vingegaard situation removes one of the reference points for him and Decathlon CMA CGM to manage their efforts.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Looking at the green jersey competition, and while Mads Pedersen might seem a fairly safe bet to have the jersey tied up, it is far from decided. He had an 88-point lead over Jasper Philipsen at the conclusion of stage 10, but six days later, that has been reduced to only 31. That is considerably less comfortable. With Mattias Skjelmose and Juan Ayuso fairly steady in their GC positions, Lidl-Trek could change how they manage their resources in support of Pedersen. They certainly can\u2019t let another panic happen, like the stage 13 fiasco, when they missed Philipsen placing himself in Pidcock&#8217;s breakaway.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Along with the race tactics and the consequences of the crashes, there\u2019s the question of the 2am drug testing to deal with too. Yes, there\u2019s a need to conduct the controls, and yes, they can be a surprise; however, there needs to be better judgment of when they happen. After midnight seems a really intrusive choice, to the point that it shows a lack of respect for the athlete. When you realise that Tadej Poga\u010dar would have been tested after the stage already, and to go through that again barely eight hours later seems strange.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">There are human rights issues involved that the PCA ought to be making clear to the UCI; there\u2019s monitoring, and then there\u2019s intrusion, which I feel is what happened on this occasion. Will Evenepoel and Seixas be getting the same treatment in the coming days is a question that immediately springs to mind.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/the-final-week-of-the-tour-de-france-will-look-completely-different-now-that-vingegaard-is-out-philippa-york-analysis\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3r8TcSdavdJe6699pairn-2000-80.png&#8221;] Pro Cycling The final week of the Tour de France will look completely different now that Vingegaard is out &#8211; Philippa York analysis MEMBER EXCLUSIVE Features By Philippa York Published 20 July 2026 Cyclingnews&#8217; expert columnist weighs in on &#8216;intrusive&#8217; early-hours drug testing, and how the podium battle plays out without Poga\u010dar&#8217;s [&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-2052569","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\/2052569","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=2052569"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2052569\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2052569"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2052569"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2052569"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}