In a breathtaking display of tactical brilliance, Jonas Vingegaard reignited his Tour de France title defence with a stunning late attack on the punishing slopes of La Plagne. The Danish rider, who had trailed his arch-rival Tadej Pogačar for much of Stage 4's Alpine marathon, produced a devastating final-kilometre surge to close the gap in the general classification.
Alpine Chess Match Unfolds
The 2,802m-high finish at La Plagne became the stage for an extraordinary duel between cycling's modern gladiators. Pogačar, riding with characteristic aggression, had appeared to gain the upper hand when he attacked 8km from the summit. But Vingegaard, demonstrating why he's considered the sport's most calculating strategist, bided his time before unleashing a perfectly timed counter-punch.
Key Moments That Shaped the Stage
- Km 132: Pogačar launches first serious attack on Col du Galibier
- Km 180: Vingegaard matches Slovenian's acceleration on Col de la Loze
- Final km: Danish champion gains 24 seconds in dramatic finale
"I knew I had to stay patient," Vingegaard told reporters after crossing the line. "The altitude makes timing everything at La Plagne - too early and you blow up, too late and the chance is gone."
General Classification Shake-up
The stage result sees Pogačar retain the yellow jersey, but his advantage has been slashed to just 45 seconds - the narrowest margin at this stage in recent Tour history. With three more mountain stages to come before Paris, including the dreaded Plateau de Beille, the 2024 Tour is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in decades.
British fans had reason to cheer too, with Tom Pidcock delivering a strong performance to move into the top 15. The Yorkshireman's descending skills came to the fore on the treacherous Col de la Loze, where several riders suffered punctures on the razor-sharp gravel sections.
What's Next for the Peloton?
Tomorrow's stage from Albertville to Saint-Vulbas presents a chance for the sprinters, but all eyes will be on Friday's showdown at the legendary Alpe d'Huez. With both Vingegaard and Pogačar showing exceptional form, the cycling world braces for another chapter in this extraordinary rivalry.
