Christophe Laporte redeems the Grande Nation

The French cycling fans drummed particularly hard against the advertising hoardings when Christophe Laporte finally redeemed the Grande Nation. "I'm so happy. The victory was important for France. I gave the people something to celebrate and I hope they are happy for me too,” said Laporte after giving the hosts their first victory in the 109th Tour de France two days before the grand finale in Paris.

After a long sprint, the loyal helper of the Tour leader Jonas Vingegaard took victory on the 19th stage after 188,3 kilometers from Castelnau-Magnoac to Cahors ahead of the Belgian Jasper Philipsen and the Italian Alberto Dainese. This means that the French are spared the biggest fiasco since 1999, when they last failed to win at home. Vingegaard before overall victory One of the first to congratulate was Vingegaard, who, however, lost five seconds to his rival Tadej Pogacar due to carelessness in the final sprint. Nevertheless, his lead of 3:21 minutes over the defending champion remains comfortable. The Dane also has an unassailable lead in the mountains classification.

Jonas Vingegaard has the great triumph in mind. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

“I haven’t really understood it yet. I had faith, the team supported me. There were hardly any chances for me anymore,” said Laporte, who is primarily responsible for protecting captain Vingegaard on the flat stages: “I enjoy working for the team. The Tour victory should be certain,” said Laporte. Pogacar only has a small chance “Can anything go wrong for Vingegaard?” asked the Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet already. Actually not, because the lead over Pogacar should easily be enough in the individual time trial over 40,7 kilometers from Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour on Saturday.

Two years ago, Pogacar snatched the yellow jersey from his compatriot Primoz Roglic in the last fight against the clock shortly before Paris, but this time it's not going up the hill. And Vingegaard is considered a good time trialist, having only lost eight seconds to Pogacar at the start in Copenhagen. The Danish flags can therefore be placed for the grand finale on the Champs Élysées on Sunday. “The Tour is more or less sealed,” said Pogacar.

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Christophe Laporte redeems the Grande Nation

Host France was spared the biggest fiasco since 1999 at the Tour de France. Christophe Laporte gives his compatriots a stage win after all. Tadej Pogacar had a small success, taking five seconds off Jonas Vingegaard.

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