Former champion Tadej Pogacar on Sunday took the overall lead of the Tour de France on a sweltering run to Bologna won by French rider Kevin Vauquelin.
Pogacar, who won the 2020 and 2021 Tours, attacked from the closing peloton on a steep hill near the finish line of the second stage as he, Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel all gained time on the day.
“I was so close to taking the yellow jersey last year, but then I cracked,” the 25-year-old Slovenian said. “Maybe this is confirmation I’m the strongest.”
Photo: AFP
“Jonas was quite fast on my wheel, but I’m glad I blew that peloton open, took some time off some people,” Pogacar said.
Overnight leader Romain Bardet, winner of Saturday’s opening stage, had predicted he would be unable to defend the yellow jersey and so it proved as he was dropped on the final ascent.
A 10-man attack had led as the race arrived in Bologna through apricot and peach orchards from the coastal resort of Cesanatico.
Vauquelin, making his Tour debut, broke away from the remnants of the escape on the final hill, and won solo at a packed finish line in the city center with temperatures hitting 33°C.
“It was painful, but I did it for myself, my family and my team,” said the 23-year-old winner, who had lost 30 minutes on the opening stage.
“This is mad, yesterday I was on the bottom rung of the ladder, but today was perfect, how mad is that?” Vauquelin said.
Behind them Pogacar produced a blistering acceleration on the very steepest part of the final climb, but was immediately shadowed by defending champion Vingegaard of Denmark.
This pair were then joined downhill by former Vuelta winner Evenepoel and former Giro winner Richard Carapaz.
“I made a mistake, I shouldn’t have taken Carapaz with me,” Evenepoel said.
While Carapaz led that group across the line, official results gave Pogacar the yellow jersey, with the others on the same time.
“I managed to close the gap, but I could have done better,” said Evenepoel, who took the best young rider’s white jersey.
While the Quick Step man did himself down, he received high praise from the man in yellow.
“He’s some rider, it was no surprise to see him get back on my wheel,” Pogacar said.
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