2024-07-18 15:26:47
Victor Campenaerts of Belgium secured the day’s victory over 179 km from Gap to Barcelonnette on Thursday (18.07.24) in the undulating terrain of the 18th stage of the Tour de France. He won the sprint in a separate group of three ahead of the Frenchman Matteo Vercher and Michal Kwiatkowski from Poland.
On the climb to the last of the five mountain classifications in the third category, Michalkowski (Ineos Grenadiers) pulled away, Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny) and Vercher (Totalenergies) caught up with the 34-year-old Pole. The three worked well together and moved away from the front – but the gap did not increase to more than a minute ahead of the pursuers.
Zimmermann: “I had to quit”
Before the stage, Georg Zimmermann from the Intermarche-Wanty team spoke positively about his chances of victory on this day in the undulating terrain. But with the effort of Michaelkowski & Co. break away and a gap that grew to 75 seconds, these ambitions gradually faded away.
“I was struggling with the stage. I noticed that I could ride in a good rhythm. But I had to give up on the last climb,” said Zimmermann just after crossing the finish line at the Sportschau . The German crossed the finish line in 23rd place, 1:13 minutes behind the winner.
Peloton more than 13 minutes behind
A group where everyone was wearing a jersey including overall leader Tadej Pogacar was a quarter of an hour behind when the winner crossed the finish line, which had no effect on the best overall classification. The exact gap when the peloton reached the finish was 13:40 minutes.
Tadej Pogacar managed to defend his yellow jersey and was 3:11 minutes ahead of the Danish defending champion Jonas Vingegaard. Belgium’s world time trial champion Remco Evenepoel is third, 5:09 minutes behind.
Ackermann’s “test” fails
Pascal Ackermann, who fought in vain for a day of victory in the mass sprints, missed the jump into the group of the day – and therefore his “test”. Like Zimmermann, Ackermann had decided to test his abilities and chances of victory on the medium difficulty stage. Like several other drivers, Ackermann is also ill. For the 30-year-old, at the end of his first trip, he is now just about “survival, I really want to go to Nice. Close your eyes and get through.”
A large group is eager to “try to escape”
A group of almost 40 riders had gathered a good hour after the start in Gap. With five smaller mountain classifications, the stage was perfect for a great escape. Zimmermann was always in the picture and was one of the most active drivers.
About 60 kilometers from the end, the Bavarian launched his own attack. But then this weak moment came about 40 kilometers from the end.
Friday: 19th difficult stage to the roof of the tour
The 19th stage on Friday is just under 145 km short, but it leads over two climbs of the “Hors Catégorie”, including the 2802 m high Cime de la Bonette, and which ends at the height of 2024 mi Isola 2000 .Tadej still in force the Pogacar lead in the classification mountains: Is there any sign of postponement then after the stage on Friday?
The Tour de France concludes on Sunday with an individual time trial in Nice.
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