Pogacar back in Yellow after win atop Mûr-de-Bretagne

On a day that honored the legacy of cycling legend Bernard Hinault, Tadej Pogacar showcased his formidable prowess, clinching victory atop the iconic Mûr-de-Bretagne during stage seven of the Tour de France.

With this triumph, the Slovenian star not only secured his second stage win of the opening week but also reclaimed the coveted yellow jersey, marking his 19th stage victory in the prestigious event.

Pogacar, riding for UAE Team Emirates-XRG, executed a perfectly timed sprint to outpace his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike, as the two battled fiercely on the final gradients. The victory saw Pogacar regain the overall lead in the General Classification, now sitting 54 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel from Soudal Quick-Step.

The stage unfolded with high drama as previous race leader Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck was unable to maintain his position, ultimately finishing 22nd and dropping to fifth overall, trailing by 1 minute and 29 seconds. Pogacar’s calculated strategy and explosive finish proved decisive, showcasing his climbing abilities and tactical acumen.

With just 1.7 kilometers remaining, Pogacar initiated the attack from the front group, but the steep ascent of Mûr-de-Bretagne turned into a tactical showdown. Only Evenepoel and Vingegaard could match Pogacar’s initial acceleration, but Pogacar chose to conserve energy, allowing Evenepoel to lead the charge on the steepest section of the climb. As the riders approached the flamme rouge, a surge of chasers regained contact, setting the stage for an electrifying finish.

Jhonatan Narváez, Pogacar’s teammate, expertly led out the sprint, setting the perfect pace for Pogacar to launch his final bid for victory. In a nail-biting conclusion, Pogacar proved to be the fastest, gaining four crucial seconds in time bonuses over Vingegaard, while Evenepoel and Matteo Jorgenson (Visma | Lease a Bike) crossed the line just two seconds later.

The stage, however, was not without its setbacks. A crash involving Joao Almeida of UAE Team Emirates-XRG marred the finale, forcing the Portuguese rider to remount and finish the stage over 10 minutes behind the leaders, effectively diminishing his chances for a podium finish.