TOUR IN REVIEW

Peerless Pogačar prevails in the Pyrenees; Van Aert dashes Cav’s record hopes in Paris

- Van Aert

STAGE 16

FASTMEN TO THE FORE!

There was no easing back into it for the peloton following the rest day, the riders instead tackling this big mountain stage in the Pyrenees. Bora- Hansgrohe’s Patrick Konrad pulled out the ride of his career, attacking the Portet d’Aspet with 35km to ride and holding a gap over the summit and downhill to the finish. Hero of the day: Fred Wright. The young Brit made the breakaway today, in what is his first tour de France.

STAGE 17

DING DONG, VERILY ON HIGH

France didn’t manage to break its Bastille Day duck on stage wins, on this Pyrenean outing whose climbs were as brutal as its vistas were beautiful. It wasn’t for want of trying though, with breakaway riders Anthony Perez and Dorian Godon making a concerted attempt at making it stick. Behind, a yellow jersey that had spent some days biding his time, was finally tempted from his lair, with UAE setting an infernal pace up the final ascent of the long and steep Col du Portet before Tadej Pogačar sprang forth. A lively-looking Jonas Vingegaard and naughty bluffer Richard Carapaz managed to hang on, before Pog delivered the inevitable coup de grâce, taking his first win in yellow at the summit. Hero of the day: Anthony Perez. He pulled out a whole bunch of pain faces from the top drawer before finally having to capitulate to the GC men.

STAGE 18

VICTORY LAP