AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES, France, 3rd July, 2024 (WAM) -- Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates put in a great display on the final 800 metres of the Galibier and in the descent to Valloire gave to the Slovenian rider the first stage success in the Tour de France 2024 (12th in career in the Grand Boucle) and again the yellow jersey.
The winning shot by Pogačar on stage 4 (Pinerolo-Valloire, 139.6 km with the climbs of Sestriere, Montgenevre and Galibier) was the cherry on top of a great performance by UAE Team Emirates, that forced the pace on the Galibier (22.9 km at 5.1 percent, summit at 19.5 km to the arrival) thanks to Almeida, Yates and a final contribution by Ayuso, with the result of a heavy selection in the top riders group.
Then it was Tadej’s turn to speed-up, only Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a bike) could follow him but the Danish climber had to give up 300 metres later, reaching the summit of the climb with 13” of gap.
In the downhill, UAE Team Emirates’ captain was flawless, so he could increase his advantage on Vingegaard, who was eventually reached by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quickstep, 2nd), Juan Ayuso (3rd) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull-Bora, 4th).
Tadej is the new leader of the general classification with 45” on Evenepoel and 50” on Vingegaard, Ayuso is 4th at 1’10”.
Pogačar said, “This was more or less the plan, and we executed it pretty well. It was like a dream stage, and finishing it off solo was very special. I wanted to hit hard today, as I was confident I could win and put some seconds on my rivals."
Stage 5 will start from Saint Jean de Maurienne and will finish in Saint Vulbas (177.4 km).