Friday, July 8th saw another victory for the UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogačar at the Super Planche des Belles Filles leaving behind Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) who thought he had almost won. This marks a second stage win for Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France.
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At the last breakaway of stage 7, Vingegaard zoomed past Lennard Kämna (Bora-Hansgrohe) making a final attempt to take the win. The Jumbo-Visma rider breached in on the Yellow Jersey close to the finish line. However, Pogačar was taking no chances today. Gaining momentum on his bike, quickening his speed, he crossed Vingegaard with such a might, that Vingegaard stood no chance against the sprinter.
Later on, Jonas commented on the thrilling episode which underwent on the final 20 m:
It was definitely a brutal finish, but I think I can be happy, I tried in the end, but he just came with 20 m to go, and I didn’t have an answer.
Vingegaard and Pogačar closed at the same time, while Geraint Thomas (Ineos) closed at 14 seconds behind the winner. Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) however managed to close at + 12 seconds after the yellow jersey. Roglič now stands at 13th position overall.
Aleksandr Vlasov (UCI WorldTeam Bora–Hansgrohe) lost 1:39. Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost) stood second overall at the start of the day, clearly struggled while he tried to hang in the game, and ended up losing more than a minute. All hopes of winning went down the drain as Ben O’Connor (AG2R Citroën) after struggling at the cobbles, failed to make his mark on stage 7th also.
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Romain Bardet (DSM) and David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) managed to make their place in the top 10. After taking the win, an overjoyed Pogačar said to the media:
It was really difficult, especially in the end in the last part when Jonas attacked, he was so strong
He could not let the hard work of his team go to waste as Vingegaard attacked:
But my boys were working all day and I had to push to the finish line. It was a special day
How It Happened
The clear blue skies presented a perfect start to stage 7th on 8th July, Friday. The teams Bahrain Victorious, Bora-Hansgrohe, and Trek-Segafredo all tried their best but failed to take a breakaway.
The first breakaway came in after 40 km by Simon Geschke (Cofidis), who was eventually caught up by Filippo Ganna (Ineos). The duo managed to gain 20 seconds.Ganna’s team told him to fall back and as he did a new group of 11 riders formed and sped up to Geschke.
From the group, Magnus Cort (EF-EasyPost) and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) tried to close in on the gap but failed. The gap went over a minute and it looked like it would not be possible to close it now.
Just then, Pogačar’s teammates sprang into action and managed to close the gap. Pedersen took maximum points at the sprint, coming in on the last 75 km. After him, Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) took the remaining point.
On the final 2 km, Pogačar was in the lead as he formed another gap. Now leading a group of 12 people, Pogačar happily cruised on his bike as Thomas, Vingegaard and Roglič managed to chase him. Tension was soaring high with just 200 m to the finish line. Vingegaard tried to take the lead, but Pogačar delivered a final blow and took the victory home.
Results
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Featured Image Via YouTube/ menese.com
