Marking The Spot

Only an unprecedented calamity can deny Tadej Pogacar a fourth Tour de France title after he cruised through the final test in the mountains, with the two bonus seconds he lost to Jonas Vingegaard in the finale immaterial. Thymen Arensman claimed a second stage win for Ineos Grenadiers, although it was only possible after a lack of courage behind. The high mountains are done and dusted.

There will be no more Col de la Loze nightmares for Tadej Pogacar after he comfortably saw off the threat of Jonas Vingegaard on the Tour de France queen stage. Pogacar stretched his lead in the general classification to 4:26″ with just one mountain stage remaining as Vingegaard could only muster a token attack on the final climb. Meanwhile, Britain’s Oscar Onley soared closer to the podium.

The rolling, 160-kilometre run to Valence represented the calm before the Alpine storm, but there was drama at the end of Stage 17 as rain made conditions treacherous for the riders. A big crash saw the sprint trains disrupted, before Jonathan Milan was able to keep it upright and take his second win of this year’s Tour.