Vingegaard annihilates Pogacar in Tour de France time trial

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard destroyed rival Tadej Pogacar in Tuesday's individual time trial to gain a massive time and psychological advantage in their fight for the Tour de France title

The Danish rider won the 16th stage, clocking 32 minutes and 36 seconds over 22.4 kilometres from Passy to beat 2020 and 2021 Tour winner Pogacar by 1:38 and stretch his overall lead to 1:48.

Vingegaard made a strong start, reaching the first check point at 7.1km with a 16-second advantage over his rival.

The Dane took all the risks in the descending portions and reached the foot of the Cote de Domancy (2.5 at 9.4 per cent) with a 31-second lead.

While the Jumbo-Visma leader stayed on his time trial bike, Pogacar gambled and switched for a lighter road bike, hoping to make up for some time in the climb.

It had no effect.

Pogacar did not look smooth while Vingegaard was flying, delivering a huge blow to the Slovenian ahead of Wednesday's gruelling 17th stage between Saint Gervais and Courchevel.

“It’s the best time trial I’ve ever done,” said Vingegaard, adding that he thought Pogacar would be faster than him. “I even surprised myself.”

"I'm hugely proud of what I achieved today," the defending champion said. "But the Tour de France is not finished yet, we have to fight all the way to Paris."

Vingegaard has employed largely defensive tactics against Pogacar, who seems unable to resist his impulses when presented with a chance. The former fish factory worker has also insisted throughout his defense campaign the Tour would not be won by a few seconds.

Wednesday's stage from Saint Gervais Mont Blanc to Courchevel is the Queen stage of this Tour featuring both the 20km ascent of the Cormet de Roselend mountain pass and the 28km ascent of the Col de Loze to 2304m altitude.

VIDEO: 2023 Tour de France Stage 16 Highlights

2023 Tour de France Stage 16 Top 10

1  VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma 32:36
2  POGACAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates 1:38
3  VAN AERT Wout Jumbo-Visma 2:51
4  BILBAO Pello Bahrain - Victorious 2:55
5  YATES Simon Team Jayco AlUla 2:58
6  CAVAGNA Rémi Soudal - Quick Step 3:06
7  YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates 3:12
8  SKJELMOSE Mattias Lidl - Trek 3:21
9  PEDERSEN Mads Lidl - Trek 3:31
10  GAUDU David Groupama - FDJ 3:31

2023 Tour de France GC after Stage  16

1  VINGEGAARD Jonas Jumbo-Visma 63:06:53
2  POGACAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates 1:48
3  YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates 8:52
4  RODRÍGUEZ Carlos INEOS Grenadiers 8:57
5  HINDLEY Jai BORA - hansgrohe 11:15
6  KUSS Sepp Jumbo-Visma 12:56
7  BILBAO Pello Bahrain - Victorious 13:06
8  YATES Simon Team Jayco AlUla 13:46
9  GAUDU David Groupama - FDJ 17:38
10  GALL Felix AG2R Citroën Team 18:19