Poga-blast! Champ detonates on final climb

Star takes tour stage and 100th career win

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Tadej Pogacar blew past his rivals in an “explosive” finish to take Tour de France stage four at Rouen on Tuesday and claim his 100th professional victory.

“That was really pure, classic Tour-de-France-style explosive,” said an elated Pogacar.

The win did not quite bring him the overall lead. Dutch powerhouse Mathieu van der Poel finished second to keep the yellow jersey.

Pogacar attacked on an incline to the line to finish just ahead of Van der Poel with Jonas Vingegaard third.

It was the 26-year-old Slovenian's 18th Tour de France stage win as he seeks a fourth overall triumph on the Tour.

“There was big adrenalin and a big field of contenders,” Pogacar said.

Fans were treated to another Pogacar-Vingegaard head-to-head duel as five hills made the final 40km a roller-coaster.