Tadej Pogačar delivered a stunning solo performance on the first summit finish at the Tour de France on 13 July to strengthen his grip on the yellow jersey in stage 14 as the classic race entered its decisive phase in the Pyrenees.

For most of the 152-kilometre stage, Pogačar's UAE Team Emirates paced tactically before sending Adam Yates on an attack seven kilometres from the line.

Three kilometres later, Pogačar pedalled ahead leaving his closest rivals, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep), in the dust.

Riding solo through to the end, he won the stage 39 seconds ahead of Vingegaard and one 1:10 on Evenepoel for his second stage win at this year's Tour.

"The plan was to come to the final and make the sprint hard, maybe take some seconds and a stage win. But in the end this it's much better," he said at the finish line. "I'm super, super happy to get this."

In the general classification Pogačar now has a 1:57 lead on arch rival Vingegaard, winner of the previous two Tours, and 2:22 on Evenepoel.

His performance is sure to lay to rest any rumours about Pogačar's strength that surfaced after he lost a two-way sprint to Vingegaard on 10 July.

"I'm much better than last year, handling pressure and emotions," Pogačar said. "I'm getting more and more comfortable. I have to enjoy this while it lasts."