Pogačar bounces back to win stage 6 of Tour de France
Slovenian rider Tadej Pogačar bounced back from a bad day in the first mountain test in the Pyrenees in this year's Tour de France to claim a solo victory in stage 6 and to climb to second spot overall. The defending champion Jonas Vingegaard put on the yellow jersey.
The Dane put over a minute into Pogačar in stage 5, but the Slovenian UAE Team Emirates rider reduced the gap by 28 to 25 seconds in the general classification after going solo less than three kilometres to the finish to cross the line 24 seconds ahead of his rival.
Vingegaard, a Jumbo-Visma rider, took the yellow jersey from Jai Hindley, who fell behind 50 kilometres to the finish. The Australian is now third overall, lagging one minute and 34 seconds behind.
"I would not say revenge but it's good to win today and take back some time. I feel a little bit of relief and feel much better now," Pogačar, a two-time Tour winner, said.
"The display Jonas showed yesterday was incredible and I was thinking when they started pulling on the Tourmalet: 'Shit, if it's going to happen like yesterday, we can pack our bags and go home.' Luckily, I had good legs today and I could follow on the Tourmalet quite comfortably. Then, when I felt it was the right moment in the end I attacked. It was a big relief."
This is the 10th stage win for Pogačar at the world's most prestigious road cycling race and his 15th of the season. The 24-year-old also keeps the white jersey of the top placed young ruder overall.