2023-07-18 17:36:13
From our special correspondent in Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc – Leader Jonas Vingegaard left no hope on Tuesday to his runner-up Tadej Pogacar, during the 22.4 km time trial between Passy and Combloux, taking him back 1’48” in the general classification. A gap that could put an end to the suspense of this Tour de France.
Published on: 07/18/2023 – 17:36Modified on: 07/18/2023 – 17:41
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Unchallenged domination: Jonas Vingegaard finished the 16th stage 1’38” ahead of his rival Tadej Pogacar, and took a serious option on the final victory by crushing the time trial on Tuesday July 18. Overall , the Dane now has a 1’48” lead over the Slovenian on the eve of the queen stage of this 110th edition, between Saint-Gervais and Courchevel.
For the only time trial of this Tour de France, the organizers had concocted a tough course the day after a day’s rest. A stage of only 22.4 km, between Passy and Combloux, with the formidable Domancy coast in particular towards the end: 2.5 km at 9.4%. Not to mention the oppressive heat, but also a few drops of rain and a capricious wind.
Honor reserved for the yellow jersey, Jonas Vingegaard started last, at 5 p.m. sharp, two minutes after his rival Tadej Pogacar.
Rather defensive since the start of the Tour, Vingegaard this time went on the attack, taking all the risks to distance his rival and put an end to the suspense. At the first intermediate point, Vingagaard was already 16” ahead of Pogacar! Then the gap increased to 30” at the second check-in, while as predicted, the Slovenian changed bikes before tackling the Domancy hill, again losing precious seconds.
At the top of the Domancy hill, the Dane’s domination is total, to the point that he could almost have joined the Slovenian on the finish line. He finally finished the stage 1’38” ahead of Pogacar and 2’51” over his teammate Wout Van Art, third today.
Frenchman Rémi Cavagna occupied the stage leader’s chair for a very large part of the race. Starting early, in 47th position, he set a time of 35’42”, driving at a very respectable average of 37.647 km/h.
But logically, the Belgian Wout Van Aert took his place, setting a new reference time of 35’27” (37.913 km/h), 15″ better than the French champion.
But that was before the arrival of the two phenomena of this Tour, Vingegaard in 32’26” (41.439 km/h), and Pogacar in 34’14” (39.260 km/h).
In the footsteps of Bernard Hinault
Before the stage, the two favourites, separated by only 10 seconds in the general classification, redoubled their showiness about this course. “Changes of rhythm suit me perfectly”, underlined Vingegaard. “It’s the kind of time I love,” replied Pogacar.
“You will really have to be at the top of your game”, predicted Bernard Hinault, the master of the place, to AFP before the start. Domancy is so intimately linked to Bernard Hinault that the road today bears the name of the French champion. It is here that the “Badger” became world champion in 1980 on a monstrously tough course, taking the Domancy coast… 20 times.
???? The Côte de Domancy is forever linked to a tremendous ride by Bernard Hinault back in 1980…
???? The Côte de Domancy, forever linked to Bernard Hinault’s demonstration during the 1980 world championships… #TDF2023 pic.twitter.com/CVTfa3MGLx
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 18, 2023
Changing bikes: the big bluff
Should you change your bike or not before the Domancy coast? This is the question that animated the paddock on Tuesday morning. The course, alternating between climbs and flat parts or slightly downhill, is not that of a classic time trial. But if the riders set off with a “chrono” bike, with a solid wheel at the rear, the following cars were loaded with classic road bikes, much more manageable on the climbs, anticipating a change of mount before the Côte de Domancy. But impossible to know if the change would take place, it was radio silence on the side of the sports directors.
Thibaut Pinot had told him that he was going to change his bike. Conversely, the Spaniard Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos), third overall, had given up: “It’s not worth it compared to the risk it constitutes and the time we lose” in the operation. And history has proven Rodríguez and Vingegaard right.
Pogacar made him the bitter experience. Thinking of taking back time in the Côte de Domancy with a road bike, he was unable to take advantage of it, seeing the Dane and his full-wheel bike swoop down on him at the end of the stage.
There are still two very difficult stages left, Wednesday in the Alps and Saturday in the Vosges. The odyssey on Wednesday between Saint-Gervais and Courchevel is, on paper, the most difficult of all, with in particular the ascent of the Col de la Loze. With 5,100 meters of vertical drop, the Col des Saisies and the Cormet de Roseland as an aperitif, before arriving on the Courchevel altiport track pitched up at 18%.
With AFP
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