Peerless Tadej Pogacar seizes control of the Tour de France to evoke memories of the greats
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The high, horrible mountain ascents are Vingegaard’s preferred place to prowl, the tough terrain having tilted the Tour in his favour in each of the last two years as Pogacar wilted in the heat. open image in gallery Jonas Vingegaard pipped Tadej Pogacar to victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France Instead, it was Pogacar who struck a potentially fatal double blow with two rides of maturity and majesty. But it was worth it in the end, I was super happy.” open image in gallery Tadej Pogacar has moved closer to a third Tour de France triumph The narrative painted by some is of a weaker Vingegaard, a wounded champion still battling back to his best after hampered preparation. open image in gallery Tadej Pogacar tried to go solo 31km from the finish before Joans Vingegaard recovered It is to the bygone ages of Coppi and Merckx that one has to reach for apt comparison but the glories and ghosts of more recent Tours echo in the present, too.