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The outstanding duel between Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) in the Tour de France again provided cycling fans another thrilling chapter that ended with a draw.
At the end of stage 14 (Annemasse-Morzine les Portes du Soleil, 151,8 km with 5 mountain passes), UAE Team Emirates’ captain was 2nd and Vingegaard was 3rd, both at 5” to the winner Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers). With that situation, the general classification changed very little: thanks to the time bonuses assigned on the top of the last climb of the course (Joux Plane, Vingegaard 1st, Pogačar 2nd) and at the arrival, the Danish cyclist increased by 1” his advantage on the Slovenian rival and now the gap between 1st and the 2nd of the general classification is 10”.
As expected, the climb of the Joux Plane was the key moment of the race: at 3,5 km to the summit Adam Yates raised the pace and Pogačar attacked and built an advantage of 6” on Vingegaard, but the Danish rider managed to close the gap in a couple of kilometers.
Pogačar was forced to abort his attempt of anticipating the action because of two motorbikes that were too close to the cyclists which meant both riders had to break and allowing the comeback of Carlos Rodriguez, who then covered the downhill to Morzine at full speed and managed to keep a small but important advantage on Pogačar (2nd), Vingegaard (3rd) and Adam Yates (4th).
Pogačar: “I think it was a really good day for us, we were really strong, okay we didn’t win but we pushed hard and go in the next stages with a positive mind.
Where this Tour de France can be decided? Tomorrow a really hard stage is coming, then the time trial, stage 17 with the Col de la Loze close to the arrival and also stage 20 could be a key moment. It’s gonna be really tight, but I am going in with a good mindset and good legs for these stages”.
Stage 15 will be very demanding too: after the start from Les Gets les Portes du Soleil, the riders will cover 179 km climbing on two 1st category Kom, one 3rd category Kom and one 2nd category Kom, before reaching the arrival in Saint Gervais Mont Blanc at the top of a 1st category climb (7,7 km at 7%).
Stage 14 results
1. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) 3h58’45”
2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +5”
3. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) s.t.
4. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +10”
General classification after stage 14
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 57h47’28”
2. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) +10”
3. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos-Grenadiers) 4’43”
5. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) 5’20”
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