![Pogacar wins in high mountains to hand blow to Vingegaard and extend Tour de France lead](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385462175_17208850793680_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqUS0C8ZAVzbAuRAtSaD1fU6oVAX3lsDVRhn12NggY-R4.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Pogacar wins in high mountains to deal blow to Vingegaard and extend Tour de France lead
![Pogacar wins in high mountains to hand blow to Vingegaard and extend Tour de France lead](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385462175_17208850793680_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqUS0C8ZAVzbAuRAtSaD1fU6oVAX3lsDVRhn12NggY-R4.jpeg?imwidth=680)
Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar surged ahead on the last climb to win the mountainous 14th stage of the Tour de France and extend his overall lead to nearly two minutes on Saturday.
The elite climbers’ duel between Pogacar and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard finally came when Pogacar peeled away with about five kilometres left.
Pogacar caught up with and overtook his UAE Emirates team-mate Adam Yates, while Vingegaard was initially dropped but showed good composure to limit the damage.
The Dane crossed the line 39 seconds behind the Slovenian Pogacar, who completed the 152km trek in just over four hours. Remco Evenepoel of Belgium was third and dropped to third overall behind Vingegaard.
After about two hours, riders reached the first of the day’s two big “hors catégorie” (beyond category) climbs – a 19km grind up the Col du Tourmalet, one of the race’s most famed Pyrenean climbs.
The second climb to the finish at Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet was shorter at 10.6km but with a steeper gradient.
Irishman Ben Healy attacked first but was caught by Yates, who set up Pogacar for his 13th stage win of his Tour career.
Time bonuses for the victory added four valuable seconds and extended Pogacar’s lead over Vingegaard to one minute, 57 seconds. Evenepoel was 2min 22sec behind Pogacar heading into another big mountain stage on Sunday.
AP
Pogacar extends overall lead on stage 14: As it happened
Top ten in the general classification
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 56hrs 42mins 39secs
- Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1min 57secs
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) +2mins 22secs
- Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +6mins 1sec
- Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +6mins 9secs
- Mikel Landa (Soudal-Quick Step) +7mins 17secs
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +8mins 32secs
- Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) +9mins 9secs
- Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) +9mins 33secs
- Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +10mins 35secs
Quotes from Tadej Pogacar
It was instinct, we tried to go for the stage. Adam attacked and Visma had to maintain the gap. I had to bridge to Adam. I want to thank all my teammates. We wanted a sprint and to take some seconds but this is much better. Let’s keep up this momentum, with good legs. I used to think Mark Cavendish was another planet. I love seeing him win so many stages. It was incredible to watch him as a kid.
![Tadej Pogacar after winning stage 14](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385464278_17208860258690_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Stage 14 result
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 4hrs 1mins 52secs
- Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +39secs
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick-Step) +1:10
- Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) +1:19
- Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) +1:23
- Santiago Buitrago (Bahrain Victorious) Same time
- Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) “
- Felix Gall (Decathlon-Ag2R La Mondiale) +1:26
- Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1:29
- Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech) Same time
Vingegaard loses time
The defending champion comes over the line in second but is 39 seconds behind Pogacar. Evenepoel then comes home in third, a further 30 seconds down on Vingegaard. Carlos Rodriguez is fourth.
![Jonas Vingegaard comes across the line on stage 14](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385461787_17208855900940_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
28.5km to go
The leaders are coming to the top of Hourquette d’Ancizan. Like on the Tourmalet Gaudu and Lazkano attack, with around 200m to go. Gaudu takes the maximum five king of the mountains points with Lazkano taking three.
Behind Soler is really pushing hard at the front of the peloton and the gap to the leaders is coming down at quite some rate. It has come down by around a minute in the last five kilometres to around 75 seconds as they come over the top.
We have a 10km descent to come now.
32.5km to go
Marc Soler is on the front of the peloton now for UAE Team Emirates and the gap to the leaders is around two and a half minutes. Tadej Pogacar has three teammates, Jonas Vingegaard has two.
The Visma-Lease a Bike riders are told over their team radio that the pace UAE Team Emirates are setting is good for them and Vingegaard.
34.5km to go
Van der Poel, Quinn and Cort have been dropped but the likes of Healy and Kwiatkowski have fought back to make contact with Lazkano and Gaudu.
Nils Politt has been on the front of the peloton for UAE Team Emirates for a long time but he has run out of gas. He has put in a great shift for his team but he has no more left to give.
36km to go
We have now hit the Hourquette d’Ancizan, a category two climb which is 8.2km in length with an average gradient of 5.1%. It is the easier of the two sides but I think most people would say it still looks so incredibly hard! The breakaway’s lead over the peloton is now down to three minutes.
40km to go
The breakaway is approaching the category two climb of Hourquette d’Ancizan. They have just over three and a half minutes on the peloton at the moment. We have ten riders in the breakaway, which did get broken up towards the top of the Tourmalet but has come back together again ahead of the next climb.
43km to go
EF Education-EasyPost have confirmed that Alberto Bettiol has abandoned the race, another rider who has not been feeling great.
The peloton is around three minutes and 40 seconds off the lead group, where the likes of Healy, Gaudu, Van der Poel and Kwiatkowski have joined Lazkano at the front of the race.
59km to go
Louis Vervaeke (Soudal-Quick Step) is another rider who has had to abandon the race due to illness.
Behind back in the peloton Visma-Lease a Bike, who have not been present at the front of the peloton, have moved up to the front to join UAE Team Emirates. The peloton is around four minutes behind Lazkano as they come over the top of the Tourmalet.
62km to go
The breakaway is reaching the summit of Col du Tourmalet. With 800m to go, David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) attacks and only Oier Lazkano (Movistar) can react. There are 5,000 euros available for the first over the top.
With around 350m to go Lazkano goes past Gaudu and the Frenchman can do nothing to respond. Lazkano goes over the summit of the Tourmalet first, take 20 king of the mountains points and the 5,000 euro prize for the Souvenir Jacques Goddet.
Gaudu comes over the top 12 seconds behind.
69km to go
Sean Quinn, the 24-year-old from Los Angeles, is continuing to set the pace in the breakaway. The EF Education-EasyPost rider won the road race in the American National Road Championships earlier this year. The gap back to the peloton is four minutes.
![The breakaway heading up the Tourmalet](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385446019_17208772524480_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
We heard before the start of today’s stage that Geraint Thomas was not feeling well and he has just been dropped from the peloton.
71km to go
There are quite a number of groups that have formed up the Tourmalet. We have the sprinters forming gruppettos behind the peloton. Up closer towards the front the likes of Rui Costa have dropped off from the breakaway.
The support up the Tourmalet is incredible, with fans lining the roads all the way up. People have been arriving in their caravans days before today’s stage.
77km to go
Here are the results of the intermediate sprint at Esquieze-Sere:
- Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), 20pts
- Arnaud de Lie (Lotto Dstny), 17
- Oier Lazkano (Movistar), 15
- Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility), 13
- Kévin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), 11
- Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 10
- Raúl García Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), 9
- Cédric Beullens (Lotto Dstny), 8
- Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), 7
- Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck), 6
78km to go
Those five at the front have been joined by a group behind which has the likes of Ben Healy (EF Education-EasyPost), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) and Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny). Kwiatkowski won stage 13 last year up the Grand Colombier. 17 riders in total in the lead breakaway.
79km to go
The sprinters are done for the day and they sit up. The peloton have now started climbing the Tourmalet, just over four minutes down on the lead group, which consists of Raúl García Pierna, Kévin Vauquelin (both Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility), Oier Lazkano (Movistar) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
![The peloton hit the foot of the Tourmalet](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385444561_17208762142110_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
81km to go
Here we go! It is Tourmalet time. 19km of a titan of a climb. Iconic to say the least. The peloton are still a few minutes away from hitting the foot of the climb.
A year ago stage six included the climb up Tourmalet. Jai Hindley (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) began the day in yellow but only stayed in it for one day as despite Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) winning the stage, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) took the maillot jaune.
82km to go
The lead group has reached the intermediate sprint, with the next group in the road still over 20 seconds behind so Jasper Philipsen will not be too pleased about as he attempts to close the gap in the points classification to Biniam Girmay, who is also in the second group.
It is an head-to-head contest between Bryan Coquard and Arnaud De Lie for the maximum 20 points and it is the former who gets it. Behind for ninth across the line Philipsen and Girmay contest it right to the line, with the latter pipping the former.
88km to go
The intermediate sprint at Esquieze-Sere is not too far away and at that point we will be on the lower slopes of the Tourmalet. Riders in the lead and second groups will be after the points available at the intermediate sprint. The second group on the road is around 20 seconds back from the front eight, with the peloton a further three minutes back.
96km to go
More groups are trying to make their way into the breakaway. The likes of Michal Kwiatkowski (Ineos Grenadiers), David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), Ben Healy (EF Edication-EasyPost), Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) and Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) are attempting to get into the lead group.
100km to go
A trio of riders including stage two winner Kevin Vauquelin (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) and Oiez Lazkano (Movistar) has caught up to the front quartet. The other member is Raul Garcia Pierna (Arkéa-B&B Hotels). Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility) has also joined the breakaway, which now contains eight riders.
104km to go
Back in 2021, stage 17 finished at Saint-Lary-Soulan and it was Tadej Pogacar who won the stage on his way to winning the Tour de France that year. Jonas Vingegaard finished second and Richard Carapaz was third. Just four seconds covered the top three that day.
![Tadej Pogacar celebrates winning stage 17 at the 2021 Tour de France](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000264358806_17208734765050_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
112km to go
We are heading through Lourdes at the moment. Anyone been there on a pilgrimage? Anyway we have a four-man breakaway; Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), Arnaud De Lie and Cedric Beullens (both Lotto Dstny). They only have 10 seconds though on the peloton. With it being nearly 50 years to the day since Van der Poel’s grandfather won at the summit of Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, this will be a special day for the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider.
![The breakaway in action during stage 14](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385440762_17208743867630_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqD3d2dmOlWYuQkR76XZjLQKOylOV7i1cNNz18XOj47vE.jpeg?imwidth=350)
113km to go
Back in 2019, Thibaut Pinot won atop the Col du Tourmalet, finishing ahead of Julian Alaphilippe and Steven Kruijswijk. Egan Bernal, who went on to win the Tour that year, finished fifth with Geraint Thomas, who ended up second on the podium in Paris, eighth.
![Thibaut Pinot during Tour de France](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000302469008_17208727074850_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bqr-7O72qaIw6JcGx7YfRv5iSCpaSurtP4qciNMA_ZpPo.jpeg?imwidth=350)
120km to go
Jonas Vingegaard is around 75 seconds down on Tadej Pogacar in the general classification and currently sits in third place. He produced a brilliant ride on stage eleven to win claim victory in a sprint finish against Pogacar. Speaking ahead of today’s stage. he seemed excited about the day ahead:
123km to go
Victor Campenaerts is trying everything to form a breakaway and he will do everything in his power to get in it.
One huge incentive for a lot of the peloton is the Souvenir Jacques Goddet, which is available at the top of the Tourmalet. It is an award and cash prize that began in 2001 and is awarded to the first rider over the summit.
132km to go
Back on 15 July 1974, on stage 16 Raymond Polidor won at the summit of Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, where today’s stage finishes. That victory was Polidor’s first Tour stage victory since 1965, beating the great Eddy Merckx to victory. Polidor is the grandfather of Mathieu van der Poel. Nearly 50 years to the day since Polidor’s victory, who will win today’s stage at the top of Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet?
140km to go
Frank van den Broek (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), who played a crucial role in his teammate Romain Bardet’s victory on stage one, has attacked and been joined by Simon Geschke (Cofidis), but they have now been reeled back in. No proper breakaway has formed yet.
We are set for a showdown in the general classification both today and tomorrow on a dramatic weekend for the yellow jersey. We can now hear from our current leader, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), ahead of today’s stage:
150km to go
As you would expect attacks immediately with Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) amongst the first to do so. Bryan Coquard, the Cofidis sprinter, has attacked and is looking to get in the breakaway with the intermediate sprint today at Esquieze-Sere at the foot of the Tourmalet.
Amaury Capiot (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) looks in real trouble as soon as the stage has officially begun. You would imagine he is feeling unwell, but that is unconfirmed.
Thomas unwell?
Ineos Grenadiers have already seen Tom Pidcock abandon this morning after experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 and now we hear that Geraint Thomas is feeling unwell this morning. Here he is wearing the face mask ahead of the start of today’s stage:
![Geraint Thomas wearing a face mask ahead of stage 14](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385432289_17208687448780_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Face masks aplenty
With illness apparent in the peloton, we are seeing a lot of riders wearing face masks ahead of today’s stage.
![Jonas Vingegaard wearing a face mask](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385431748_17208678278880_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqlnoKbsnqupgsmdP1L78oDYNTTxc7PLLT4g0u6G4EQ6w.jpeg?imwidth=350)
![Neilson Powless wears a face mask](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385431947_17208678130180_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqpVlberWd9EgFPZtcLiMQf0Rf_Wk3V23H2268P_XkPxc.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Tourmalet is coming
Good morning and welcome to coverage of stage 14 of the 2024 Tour de France. At the end of a chaotic day negotiating strong crosswinds yesterday, Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) secured his second stage victory at this year’s Tour in a sprint finish into Pau. After a hefty crash in the final kilometre, Philipsen pipped Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) for the stage win. Philipsen was delighted to claim his second stage victory at the 2024 Tour.
“We already have two stage wins, so it’s not a bad Tour. We always want more, but we just have to go day by day and enjoy the victory today,” said Philipsen, who won four stages last year.
“Wout was piloted perfectly by Christophe Laporte. I was on the wheel but I had to launch early so I could pass him. So I’m really happy with my sprint and with the feeling. This was my best feeling so far in the Tour de France, we didn’t have the best start... Some bad luck, but I’m happy we could turn it around.”
![Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard during stage 11](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/cycling/2024/07/13/TELEMMGLPICT000385370149_17208664416430_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqA7N2CxnJWnYI3tCbVBgu9T0aesusvN1TE7a0ddd_esI.jpeg?imwidth=350)
Today is a day where we should see the main general classification contenders battle it out as we travel 151.9km from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet, including a climb up the iconic Col du Tourmalet. Going into today’s stage, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) is in possession of the maillot jaune, with a one minute and six second lead over Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step). Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) is a further eight seconds back. Vingegaard showed great form on stage 11 as he beat Pogacar to victory at Le Lioran despite the latter pulling 30 seconds clear at one point. Ahead of yesterday’s stage, Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) abandoned the tour after a crash in the latter stages of stage 12 so it feels now like it is a three-way tussle for the yellow jersey.
It is going to be an enthralling stage so stay with us for all the action on stage 14.