(Plateau De Beille) Tadej Pogacar once again demonstrated his dominance on the climbs on Sunday, winning the 15e stage of the Tour de France in stifling heat.
The French National Day stage was almost 200 kilometres long and featured four major climbs before a final tough effort to the Plateau de Beille.
Pogacar attacked five kilometres from the finish on the final ‘hors catégorie’ climb, solidifying his reputation as a master of the mountain.
“I’m super happy with my form right now,” Pogacar said. “I usually struggle with the heat, but today the team did a really good job to cool me down. It was an incredible day.”
It was his third stage victory this year and his seventh career in the Pyrenees.
“Somehow I like it [les Pyrénées] and they love me back,” Pogacar said. “Let’s keep it that way.”
Ontario’s Derek Gee posted the best Canadian result, in 12e position. Quebecer Hugo Houle finished 67e. Ill, Guillaume Boivin was forced to retire on Saturday.
Check out the general classification of the Tour de France
The stage began on Sunday with an immediate climb up the Col de Peyresourde, stretching out the peloton. A breakaway group of climbers, including Richard Carapaz, Laurens De Plus and Enric Mas, set a blistering pace but were caught as the decisive moments approached.
The temperature soared to almost 35 degrees Celsius on the final climb. Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, aided by Visma teammate Matteo Jorgenson, tried to respond, but was unable to match Pogacar’s relentless pace, finishing more than a minute behind.
Vingegaard is now 3 minutes 9 seconds behind Pogacar in the overall standings. Remco Evenepoel, another top contender, has also struggled to keep up and is 5:19 behind the leader.
“Tadej is on another planet this year,” Evenepoel said. “Right now, he’s the best in the world. There’s absolutely no doubt about that.”
PHOTO MARCO BERTORELLO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, winner of three stages, retained the green jersey for best sprinter.
Monday will be the second rest day of the three-week race, before a 16e stage contested on flat terrain between Gruissan and Nîmes, in the south of France.