Military parades, folk festivals, fireworks – this is how France celebrates its national holiday every year on July 14th. This year, a sporty treat is added as an attraction. The Tour de France served up the myth of Alpe d’Huez on July 14 of all days. Almost 14 steep kilometers, 21 famous switchbacks, several hundred thousand euphoric fans: the tour reaches a high point with the mountain arrival in Alpe d’Huez – in the truest sense of the word.
For the first time since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the ski resort in the Alps is back on the agenda. Before heading up to the finish, the pros have to conquer the Col du Galibier and the Col de la Croix de Fer to “warm up”. An Austrian has never won this stage. Most recently, the Welshman Geraint Thomas won there in 2018 – and in the end also on the tour.
Pogacar lost the yellow jersey
Favorite Tadej Pogacar failed yesterday’s first endurance test in the high mountains. The Slovenian defending champion collapsed on Wednesday’s eleventh stage around 4.5 kilometers from the finish – and lost the yellow jersey to Jonas Vingegaard. The Dane from Team Jumbo-Visma celebrated a solo victory at the mountain finish at the Col du Granon at 2413 meters above sea level after a 11.3 kilometer final climb. Colombia’s Nairo Quintana was second, 59 seconds back.
In the overall standings, Vingegaard leads 2:16 minutes ahead of French Romain Bardet, who is third on the day. Pogacar is third, 2:22 behind. “This time I lost three minutes, next time I might gain three minutes. I won’t give up and will continue to attack,” Pogacar writes but is far from writing off the successful title defense. Sebastian Schönberger took 42nd place yesterday as the best Austrian.
Source: Nachrichten
