The third week of the Tour commenced in the stunning coastal city of Montpellier, setting the stage for an exhilarating day of cycling. As the race kicked off, riders engaged in a fierce battle for position, aiming to secure a spot in the coveted breakaway group. This initial phase was marked by a rapid pace, leading to the formation of a breakaway consisting of over thirty riders, notably including Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts.
As the stage progressed, the leading group began to thin out, with the legendary climb of Mont Ventoux looming at the end of the route. A total of seven riders reached the foot of this iconic mountain, setting the scene for an electrifying showdown. Among them, Ben Healy and Valentin Paret-Peintre engaged in a thrilling duel, with Paret-Peintre ultimately emerging victorious on the challenging slopes of Mont Ventoux.
Meanwhile, Team Visma | Lease a Bike maintained a relentless pace within the peloton, setting the groundwork for critical moves as the race unfolded. With approximately eight kilometers remaining, Jumbo-Visma's star rider, Jonas Vingegaard, launched a powerful attack. Only Tadej Pogačar was able to match Vingegaard’s acceleration, showcasing the intense rivalry between these two elite cyclists.
Vingegaard quickly caught up to Benoot, who had been among the early attackers and provided crucial support for several hundred meters. Following Benoot's effort, Vingegaard intensified his attack once again. Shortly after, he also caught Campenaerts, who briefly took the lead before the final push. In the final kilometers of this gripping stage, Vingegaard made one last attempt to break away, but Pogačar held firm, resulting in a close finish between the two competitors.
After the race, Vingegaard expressed his gratitude toward his team, stating, “The team was fantastic today. Everyone gave everything they had, and I want to thank them for that. I didn’t gain time today, but I take a lot of motivation from this performance. I felt really good again and I’m satisfied with the attacks I made. As I’ve said before: I’ll keep trying all the way to Paris.”
Reflecting on the team's strategy, Head of Racing Grischa Niermann commented, “We wanted to make it a real battle today, and I think we succeeded. The team rode very strongly, and Jonas looked impressive. Our plan was to send a few riders into the breakaway. Tiesj and Victor executed that perfectly. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to crack Pogačar, but I’m proud of how the guys fought. We’ll keep attacking in the upcoming Alpine stages as well.”
As the Tour progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming Alpine stages, where the competition is sure to heat up even further.
