Tadej Pogačar reignited his Tour de France campaign with a breathtaking performance on Stage 12, demolishing rivals on the gruelling climb to Hautacam to seize the yellow jersey.
The UAE Team Emirates star unleashed a devastating attack in the final kilometres, leaving defending champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) trailing by over a minute as he crossed the line alone.
Pogačar's Masterclass in Mountain Domination
The Slovenian phenom timed his decisive move perfectly on the 13.6km Pyrenean climb, dropping Vingegaard with 4km remaining after the Dane had appeared to crack under relentless pressure.
"Today was about revenge," declared Pogačar after the stage. "I wanted to show everyone that I'm still the strongest rider in this race."
Stage 12 Results Reshape General Classification
The dramatic mountain showdown has completely transformed the GC battle:
- Pogačar now leads Vingegaard by 1:04 overall
- Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers) moves up to third at 1:17
- Previous leader Romain Bardet (DSM) dropped to fifth
Meteorologists had warned of extreme heat on the 165km stage from Toulouse, with temperatures reaching 38°C on the road surface as riders tackled three brutal Pyrenean ascents.
Tour de France 2024: What Comes Next?
With the race entering its second half, all eyes turn to Friday's individual time trial where:
- Pogačar will aim to extend his advantage
- Vingegaard must limit damages
- Dark horses like Thomas could surprise
Cycling analysts suggest the Slovenian's explosive performance has psychologically damaged his rivals, with one pundit declaring: "This was Pogačar sending a message - the Tour is his to lose now."
