Tadej Pogacar, a cyclist from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, won the fourth stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday. The stage was held between Amiens Métropole and Rouen, covering a distance of 174.2 kilometers. This victory marked Pogacar’s 18th win in the Tour and his 100th victory in his professional career. The final stretch of the stage saw a fierce competition between Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, and the current leader Mathieu van der Poel from Alpecin-Deceuninck.
Pogacar achieved this milestone while wearing the rainbow jersey as the world champion. His victory was a trademark performance, attacking on the final climb of the stage and outperforming other top contenders like van der Poel and Vingegaard. The battle between Pogacar and Vingegaard intensified in the first stage, where only Vingegaard could keep up with Pogacar’s aggressive attack.
Despite his victory, Mathieu van der Poel continues to lead the overall standings, tied on time with Pogacar. Vingegaard is currently in third place, trailing by 8 seconds. Enric Mas is in sixth place, 48 seconds behind, while Roglic is in 13th place, 1:27 minutes behind the leader.
The upcoming time trial on Wednesday, followed by mountain stages, is expected to separate the contenders from the rest. The battle between Pogacar and Vingegaard is likely to continue, with both riders having won two Tours each in their direct confrontations.
In the scenic setting of Rouen, Pogacar’s impressive attack allowed him to distance himself from Vingegaard, showcasing his strength and determination. The stage witnessed a thrilling finish with Joao Almeida supporting Pogacar and Matteo Jorgenson assisting Vingegaard.
As the stage unfolded, the last survivor of a breakaway, Lenny Martinez from Bahrain-Victorious, was caught 21 kilometers from the finish line. The stage set the stage for the upcoming crucial time trial in Caen, a flat 33-kilometer course suited for specialists.
The battle for the yellow jersey is expected to intensify in the upcoming stages, with Pogacar aiming to maintain his lead and secure his milestone victory. The stage is set for an exciting continuation of the Tour de France, with the top riders showcasing their skills and determination on the road to victory.
FUENTE