At the end of a lively stage, it was the Slovenian who won on Thursday, while his Danish opponent took the lead in the general classification.
The second mountain stage kept all its promises. Lively from the first of its 144.9 km, the sixth day showed why the Tourmalet was a must in the Tour de France, Thursday July 6. Witness to the group attack by the Jumbo Visma, the Pyrenean pass allowed Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) to isolate themselves to catch the last breakaways. In the Cauterets-Cambasque pass, the Slovenian however violently won his rival to operate a nice close in the standings.
Overall, Jonas Vingegaard takes first place, ahead of Tadej Pogacar, his new runner-up. Dropped almost immediately by the Jumbo attack in the Tourmalet, Jai Hindley still retained a place on the podium, third. On the French side, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) ranks 13th in the stage and finds himself seventh overall. Romain Bardet, 10th at the top on Thursday, is hot on his heels in eighth place.
Losing tactic for the Jumbo
When taking stock of this stage, the Jumbo Visma will certainly wonder if it has not launched its opponent, Tadej Pogacar, ideally. About four kilometers from the top of the Tourmalet, the Dutch formation sprung into action to blow up the peloton, led by Dylan van Baarle then Sepp Kuss, before Wout van Aert took over on the descent of the same collar.
Imperial and impressive with devotion, the Belgian let the two overall leaders battle it out on the final climb. Its leader placed a first banderilla, less incisive than yesterday, which did not win the Slovenian. “Pogi” had no relay to take, until his decisive attack 2.8 km from the summit. Brought on a set by its competitors.
Behind, the other favorites have certainly taken another hit behind the head. Unable to follow the rhythm imposed by the Jumbo-Visma, they quickly regrouped in a group made up of all the candidates for the crumbs left by the leading duo: third place.
No one can keep up with the hellish duo
Already clear yesterday, the difference in level between the two leaders of the general classification and the rest of the contenders for the podium was confirmed on Thursday. For nearly 50 km, they failed to make up time for the leading men. Jai Hindley, who is 1’40” from leader Vingegaard, has the advantage for third place. But a pack of suitors has not said its last word. The Yates brothers, Carlos Rodriguez, Tom Pidcock and the French David Gaudu and Romain Bardet, intend to make a place for themselves on the box.