Tadej Pogacar's Triumph at the Tour de France
Tadej Pogacar achieved a remarkable victory in the fourth stage of the Tour de France, reclaiming the yellow jersey just one day after losing it. The Slovenian cyclist set a new record on the Col du Galibier, completing the climb in 20 minutes and 50 seconds, surpassing Nairo Quintana's previous record of 22 minutes and 23 seconds set in 2019. Pogacar's powerful attack 700 meters from the summit demonstrated his exceptional form and strategic prowess.
Stage 4 Highlights and Results
The fourth stage, spanning 139.6 kilometers from Pinerolo to Valloire, was the first mountain stage with a finish in French territory. Pogacar, representing UAE Emirates, crossed the finish line 35 seconds ahead of a trio consisting of Belgian Remco Evenepoel, teammate Juan Ayuso, and fellow Slovenian Primoz Roglic. Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar's main rival, finished fifth, 37 seconds behind. Giulio Ciccone was the first Italian to finish, securing the ninth position with a gap of 2 minutes and 41 seconds.
General Classification and Team Effort
In the general classification, Pogacar now leads with a 45-second advantage over Evenepoel and a 50-second lead over Vingegaard. Ciccone holds the ninth spot, trailing by 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Pogacar expressed immense satisfaction with his performance and his team's efforts, stating, 'I'm very happy. That was pretty much the plan and we executed it very well. It was a dream stage, and finishing alone is really great.' He credited his team's support during the crucial moments of the stage, particularly in overcoming the strong headwind. Pogacar's teammate, Spanish prodigy Juan Ayuso, now sits fourth overall, reflecting the impressive teamwork of the UAE Emirates squad.
- Pogacar's victory in the fourth stage marks his 12th success at the Grande Boucle. His strategic attack in the final kilometer of the Galibier climb played a pivotal role in securing his lead. Despite the challenging conditions, including a strong headwind and snow-covered hairpin bends, Pogacar and his team executed their plan flawlessly.
- Primoz Roglic faced a delay at the top of the Galibier but managed to catch up with Evenepoel's group during the descent. He currently holds the fifth position in the general classification, 1 minute and 14 seconds behind Pogacar. The stage also saw significant time gaps for other contenders, with Richard Carapaz finishing 32nd and Romain Bardet trailing by 9 minutes and 53 seconds.
