Tadej Pogacar dominated Stage 15 of the 2024 Tour de France, extending his overall lead to more than three minutes. With a convincing second straight stage win in the Pyrenees, the Slovenian rider left his rivals behind, including Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel who finished in second and third place respectively.
Pogacar’s performance on the iconic mountaintop finish at Plateau de Beille showcased his strength and determination. At just 25 years old, he notched his 14th Tour de France stage win and expressed surprise at Vingegaard’s strong performance.
The Team UAE leader’s bid for a Tour de France and Giro d’Italia double in the same season seems more achievable after his third stage win in this year’s Tour. His team director Mauro Gianetti praised Pogacar’s performance, especially noting that he climbed the mountain over four minutes faster than Pantani did in 1998.
Looking ahead, there are two challenging mountain stages in the Alps remaining, which Pogacar finds daunting due to the expected hot weather. The final day features a 34-kilometer individual time trial, a decisive stage that could determine the winner of the Tour.
Evenepoel, who is aiming for the best young rider’s jersey, also had a strong performance on Stage 15, finishing in third place. The young Belgian rider is currently third overall, showcasing his talent and potential in his debut Tour de France.
As the race heads into the final week, Pogacar remains in the lead, followed by Vingegaard and Evenepoel. The competition is intense, and the riders will face more challenges in the coming stages.
The Tour de France also implemented stricter protective measures, including the reintroduction of face masks, to limit health risks amid a resurgence of Covid-19 cases. Despite the challenges, Pogacar and the other riders are determined to finish strong.
Overall, Stage 15 was a thrilling and intense day of racing, with Pogacar once again demonstrating his dominance in the Tour de France. As the race continues, fans can expect more excitement and drama in the remaining stages. Stay tuned for more updates and highlights on FloBikes to catch all the action from the world of cycling.