In a heart-stopping mountain duel, Jonas Vingegaard (Team Jumbo-Visma) claimed victory in Stage 11 of the Tour de France, edging out rival Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) in a nail-biting finish. The 179.8km stage from Clermont-Ferrand to Moulins delivered high drama as the two titans of cycling clashed on the punishing ascents.
A Battle for the Ages
Vingegaard and Pogačar, separated by just seconds in the General Classification, treated fans to an unforgettable spectacle. The Dane launched a decisive attack on the final climb, distancing Pogačar before holding on during the treacherous descent to cross the line first.
Key Moments
- Vingegaard's perfectly timed attack on the Côte de la Croix Neuve
- Pogačar's valiant chase on the descent
- The 10-second time bonus strengthening Vingegaard's yellow jersey position
"This was exactly the stage I needed," said an elated Vingegaard at the finish. "Tadej is such a strong competitor - every second counts when you're racing against him."
GC Shakeup
The victory extends Vingegaard's overall lead to 17 seconds, setting up an intriguing battle for the remaining mountain stages. British hopeful Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) put in a strong performance to move into the top ten.
Tomorrow's Stage 12 features another challenging mountain route from Roanne to Belleville-en-Beaujolais, promising more fireworks between the GC contenders.
