Unlike on Friday, where Pogacar attacked early on the way to victory, on Saturday he was able to keep his nose out of the wind as Soudal Quick-Step set the pace hoping to leapfrog their rider Remco Evenepoel into third, above Vingegaard in the overall standings.
But with five kilometres to go, Vingegaard countered an Evenepoel attack and only Pogacar could follow the two-time champion as the pair quickly cut the breakaway group’s lead.
Leaders Carapaz and Enric Mas – the last two from the day’s initial break – were caught just outside the final three kilometres and though Carapaz initially followed, the pace in the sweltering heat was too high.
Pogacar, who is hoping to become the first man since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same year, easily outsprinted Vingegaard at the finish, avenging his second-place finish on stage 11.
The 25-year-old is at the peak of his powers – and is dominating men’s road cycling this summer. He adds his five stage victories at this year’s Tour to the six stages he won in May’s Giro.
Source Agencies
