The Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates) took a decisive step on Thursday towards winning the Tour de France for the third time, after winning the 19th stage of the 111th edition, at the summit of Isola 2000.
The yellow jersey attacked more than nine kilometers from the finish, reaching the top solo, in 4h04m03s, after 144.6 kilometers from Embrun, relegating the American Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) to second place, 21 seconds back, and the British Simon Yates (Jayco-AlUla) to third, 40 seconds behind.
Winner of the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Tour, Pogacar now leads the overall ranking with a 5m03s advantage over the current two-time champion, Danish Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), and 7m01s over Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step), with Portuguese João Almeida in fourth place, 15m07s behind.
On Saturday, the 20th and penultimate stage will take place, a route of just 132.8 kilometers between Nice and Col de la Couillole, with three first-category climbs along the way.