Cycling: Pogacar after a climbing show with 100th victory – “unbelievable”

As unleashed, Tadej Pogacar stormed up the steep ramp of Saint-Hilaire in the slipstream with rival Jonas Vingegaard, then the exceptional cloister rushed to his anniversary victory in the style of a sprinter. The Slovenian defending champion already showed an impressive demonstration of power on the fourth day of the 112nd Tour de France with its 100th career success, even if the yellow jersey still has to wait in a second fight with a classic specialist Mathieu van der Poel.

After 174.2 kilometers from Amiens to Rouen in the home of the five-time tour winner Jacques Anquetil, the road bike world champion won ahead of van der Poel and Vingegaard. He is now on par with van der Poel, which remains in yellow. For Pogacar it is already the 18th tour of his career-this time he won in the world champion’s rainbow jersey.

“To win on the tour is incredible, all the more. 100 wins are great. I am super happy and proud,” said Pogacar, adding: “Everyone was at the limit. I attacked on the last climb, Jonas followed me and everything came back.” With so many good drivers you never know what happens. ”

Lipowitz and Buchmann lose time

The German hopeful Florian Lipowitz and the former tour fourth Emanuel Buchmann could no longer follow the high pace of the top stars on the last increase and had nothing to do with the outcome of the stage. Lipowitz lost 54 seconds, Buchmann even 1:21 minutes.

Because Pogacar drove – again – in his own league. His explosive attacks could only follow Vingegaard on the last last increase of up to 16 percent. After that, the two top stars took out the pace so that there was a sprint. In the overall ranking, Pogacar has taken out a small lead of eight seconds on his Danish rival thanks to the time criminal records. The first climbing duel of the tour favorites provided a foretaste of the long mountain passes in the Pyrenees and Alps.

Next duel in the individual time trial

Vingegaard, who, according to his own statement, is in the best form of his career, is already the chance to turn the sheet on Wednesday during the individual time trial over 33 kilometers in Caen. “Tomorrow is the right test. We are fighting for the yellow jersey,” said Pogacar.

In contrast to the previous day, the sporting headlines dominated the action this time, even if the peloton was not spared further falls on Tuesday. Sprint king Jasper Philipsen had only said goodbye to the collar and the ribs from the tour on Monday after his crash, the Belgian had already been operated on in the Herentals hospital.

“The broken dream,” headed the “L’Equipe” and at the Belgian TV broadcaster Sporza could be read online: “From heaven to hell. Jasper Philipsens Tour de France is over.”

The Frenchman Bryan Coquard was identified as a fall cause at Philipsen and contained a corresponding warning as well as 500 Swiss francs punishment and a deduction of 13 points. Philipsen’s team -mate Jonas Rickaert should not calm it as much as the French’s apology: “He told me that he couldn’t do anything, but it is not the first time that he takes too much risk in the intermediate sprint, even though he cannot win her. Risking his life for ten points.”

The sprinter had to take back on the fourth stage, the final was too steep with two climbs of the third and fourth category. The fifth stage also guarantees excitement in the fight against the clock. If the tour patron has a weakness at all, then probably in the individual time trial. During the Dauphiné tour, Pogacar last lost 28 seconds on Vingegaard and 48 seconds on double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel.