Tadej Pogacar secured a thrilling victory on stage seven of the Tour de France, reclaiming the overall lead with a powerful finish on the steep ascent of the Mur de Bretagne. The 24-year-old Slovenian rider from UAE Team Emirates demonstrated his exceptional climbing skills, overtaking his rivals in the final meters.
Close behind was Jonas Vingegaard of Team Jumbo-Visma, who crossed the line in second place, closely shadowing Pogacar’s impressive attack. Britain’s Tom Pidcock claimed third, while a late crash involving several riders added drama to the stage’s conclusion.
“It was incredibly tough out there today, but we had a plan and executed it perfectly,” Pogacar said after his victory. The win marks his 19th career Tour de France stage win. Pogacar previously won the Tour in 2020 and 2021.
In the general classification, Pogacar now leads, with Vingegaard in second place, and Remco Evenepoel moving up to third after a strong performance. “The Tour de France isn’t over yet,” Evenepoel commented, remaining optimistic about his chances.
French hopeful Kevin Vauquelin continues to impress, holding a top-five position overall. Enthusiastic fans lined the route, cheering loudly for Vauquelin, with some even flying a hot-air balloon featuring his image over the peloton. “Hearing the fans shout my name was incredible; it really motivated me,” Vauquelin said.
Mathieu van der Poel, who wore the yellow jersey at the start of the day, slipped in the rankings after struggling on the final climb. “I knew today would be challenging, but it was still a special experience returning to this iconic climb,” the Dutch rider reflected.
The stage featured two ascents of the legendary Mur de Bretagne, a 2km climb with an average gradient of six percent, steeped in Tour de France history. The race’s return to Brittany attracted massive crowds, creating a festive atmosphere under clear skies and warm temperatures.
“The support from the fans was unbelievable,” Pogacar added. “Their energy definitely gave us an extra push today.”
