Was unstoppable: Tadej Pogacar © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

Despite crash the day before: Pogacar dominates competition

Cycling world champion Tadej Pogacar raced up to Hautacam looking anything but ailing. With one of his explosive attacks on the steep final climb, the Slovenian outwitted the entire competition and flexed his muscles in the Pyrenees in front of French President Emmanuel Macron.

July 17, 2025

From: dpa

At the 112th Tour de France, the defending champion defied the previous day's crash and demonstrated his dominance. The 26-year-old reclaimed the yellow jersey from Irishman Ben Healy and outclassed his hopeless rival Jonas Vingegaard. "I'm totally happy that I was able to make up time and win on that climb," said Pogacar. He didn't know how his body would react to the crash. He only felt his hip a little.

Pogacar broke away from the group of favorites with about twelve kilometers to go, launched an inimitable attack, and quickly distanced himself from his Danish rival Vingegaard. As if unleashed, Pogacar stormed toward the finish and celebrated his 2th Tour stage win with a lead of 10:20 minutes.

In a league of his own: Tadej Pogacar © ANSA / MARTIN DIVISEK

In the overall standings, three-time Tour winner Pogacar now leads Vingegaard by 3:31 minutes. Belgian Remco Evenepoel is in third place overall, 4:45 minutes behind the yellow jersey wearer. Double Olympic champion Evenepoel, one of the favorites for the podium, fell back on the first climb to the Col du Soulor and lost his second place overall.

Cinematic duel three years ago

Almost three years ago, Pogacar and Vingegaard had already engaged in a spectacular duel on the climb to Hautacam. Back then, Vingegaard even waited for Pogacar after a crash. The Dane later shook off the exhausted Slovenian, paving the way for his first Tour victory.

Jonas Vingegaard couldn't keep up. © ANSA / CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Pogacar had Vingegaard well under control so far, distancing himself from his rival by more than a minute – primarily due to the Dane's collapse in the first individual time trial. However, the Dane's advantage was also played into his hands when Pogacar's main climb assistant, Joao Almeida of Portugal, dropped out due to injury after a crash.

Superstar Pogacar also crashed on Wednesday, but the 26-year-old escaped unscathed. That evening, his UAE racing team announced that the Slovenian had not suffered a concussion or fractures in the unfortunate crash. Bruises and abrasions on his left forearm were among the damage caused by the shocking moment just four kilometers from the finish.

Pogacar happy after fall

The incident could have had serious consequences for the three-time Tour champion. Pogacar's arm was barely visible at the start. "I'm okay, not too bad. My entire left arm is open, but it's just grazed skin," he said.

Lost a lot of time: Remco Evenepoel © APA/afp / DARIO BELINGHERI

Pogacar also responded to the tragic death of 19-year-old up-and-coming cyclist Samuele Privitera on the sidelines of the stage. The young man crashed during a cycling race in Italy on Wednesday and later died in the hospital. "It's very sad to lose another young talent," Pogacar lamented. The Tour also expressed its condolences over the tragic death. Before the stage, the riders and spectators in the starting town of Auch were asked to applaud for one minute in honor of Privitera.

The second stage in the Pyrenees is scheduled for Friday. The challenging 10,9-kilometer mountain time trial from Loudenvielle up to the airfield near Peyragudes is sure to demand a lot from the top riders. The final climb, with an average gradient of 7,9 percent over a distance of 8 kilometers, is particularly challenging. The airfield once served as the backdrop for the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies," starring Pierce Brosnan.