2023-07-05 17:54:40
The Australian won alone at Laruns on Wednesday. The Dane has won Tadej Pogacar.
TOPS
Jai Hindley’s Crazy Day
The Australian escaped the vigilance of the leaders. He managed to slip into the breakaway of the day (36 riders left very early), before shining in force in the Col de Marie Blanque, the last difficulty of the day. The leader of the Bora-Hansgrohe formation, accompanied by the Austrian Félix Gall, broke away. He then resisted to win alone at Laruns (in 2022, two Australians won the Tour: Simon Clarke in Arenberg and Michael Matthews in Mende). And climb to the top of the general classification. He puts on the first Australian yellow jersey since Simon Gerrans, two days in yellow in 2013. Leaving Bilbao with the label of outsider for the general classification, the Australian (27 years old, Bora Hansgrohe) fulfills his role perfectly. At the top of the general classification (with a 47” lead over Vingegaard).
Jonas Vingegaard’s uppercut
Discreet since the start of the Tour, attached to the marking of Slovenian Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard suddenly came out of his reserve 1.5 km from the top of the Marie Blanque pass, the last difficulty of the day. And the Dane quickly widened the gap with the leader of the UAE team. Impassive face, gaze hidden behind large sunglasses, the Dane swallowed the end of the pass before diving towards Laruns with the desire to widen the gap. Without managing to find allies to relay it. 5th at the finish (34” from Hindley).
Wout Van Aert all terrain
True to form, Wout Van Aert was at the forefront from the start of the Tour. But without success. 2nd in San Sebastian, 5th in Bayonne, 9th in Nogaro, Wout Van Aert was, since leaving Bilbao, frustrated at not having been able to raise his arms. Finally outdistanced 23 km from the finish, he quickly found his role of equipping to support Vingegaard, before moving away. Exhausted after a busy day. But Jumbo-Visma’s plan was in place…
The awakening of Julian Alaphilippe
The puncher of the Soudal-Quick Step team had ticked the first two stages of the Tour. He was unable to compete. The first mountain stage offered him the ideal ground to make up for lost time and aim for a 7th stage victory on the Tour. He even shared the stage for a time with Wout Van Aert (and the Latvian Krists Neilands). Finally 21st at 1’57” from Hindley.
Read alsoTour de France: Julian Alaphilippe flashed at 99.5 km / h in the dizzying descent of the Col du Soudet
FLOPS
Tadej Pogacar and UAE
The first mountain stage brutally showed the current limits of the Slovenian. In the Marie Blanque pass (7.7 km at 8.6%), the Slovenian was unable to respond to Jonas Vingegaard’s attack. The Slovenian and his UAE team had been the strong elements at the start of the Tour, the first mountain stage tested them. Pogacar lost 1’4” on Vingegaard. The Slovenian is in 6th place in the general classification, 1’40” behind Hindley. Adam Yates, who lost the yellow jersey, is in 5th place in the general classification.
Egan Bernal too fair
The Colombian (Ineos) advanced on this Tour without guarantees. The first mountain stage exposed its current limits. 33rd at 3’21”. Neither the circumstances nor the pace were favorable to him. A painful entry.
Neilson Powless Lost If Because
The American (EF Education) aimed to consolidate his polka dot jersey. He let the good shot slip away. A missed opportunity. Austrian Félix Gall (AG2R-Citroën) has risen to the top of the polka dot jersey ranking (ahead of Ciccone and Hindley). Neilson Powless (4th) may not have said his last word.
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