Pogačar steals the show in first day in Pyrenees

The yellow jersey triumphs in the first Pyrenean stage of the Tour de France 2024 (Pau-Saint Lary Soulan, 151,9 km with the climbs of the Tourmalet, the Hourquette d’Ancizan and the summit arrival) preceding Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and rewarding an outstanding performance by the UAE Team Emirates.

After Wellens and Pollitt led the peloton on the Tourmalet, controlling the advantage from the main breakaway of the day, Soler contributed to reduce the gap of the attackers. Then, on the first part of the final ascent, it was Sivakov and Almeida’s turn to lead the group, before an attack from Yates at 7 km to the arrival, who built up seconds of advantage on the chasers.

 
The move from the British rider was the prologue to a strong acceleration by Pogačar at 4,6 km to go: Vingegaard and Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) were the only two riders who could chase him with an initial gap of 10”, that became larger and larger approaching the arrival, also thanks to the contribution of Adam Yates, who supported the yellow jersey for as long as he could.

Pogačar overtook the only survivor of the main breakaway, Ben Healy (EF-EasyPost), and kept on pedaling at full speed until the finish line, obtaining his 13th stage victory in career and giving to UAE Team Emirates the 52nd success in 2024.

Vingegaard was 2nd with a gap of 39”, Evenepoel 3rd at 1’10”, while Yates obtained the 7th place (+1’23”).

In the general classification, Vingegaard is now 2nd at 1’57” from Pogačar, Evenepoel is 3rd at 2’22”, Almeida is 4th at 6’01” and Yates is 7th at 8’32”.

Pogačar : “The plan was to win the stage on the final sprint and try to catch a few bonus seconds, but winning like this is way better! We found ourselves in an ideal scenario. Adam’s attack put me on a situation on which I could attack myself, following my instinct. It’s because of the excellent work of my teammates that I’ve done this, and I’m thankful to all of them. I’m super happy I’ve won. I’ve got one more Tour stage win now. Let’s keep this positive energy so we can win more! This Tour de France must be great to watch on TV!“.

Another very demanding stage awaits the peloton on Sunday: 197,7 km from Loudenvielle to the summit arrival of Plateau de Beille, with the Col de Peyresourde just after the start, the Col de Mente, the Portet d’Aspet and the Col d’Agnes).

Stage 14 results

 
1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 4h01’51”
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +39”
3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) +1’10”

General classification after stage 14

 
1. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) 56h42’39”
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1’57”
3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) +2’22”
4. João Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +6’01”
7. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +8’32”