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In a thrilling finish atop the Pla d’Adet, Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) solidified his dominance in the Tour de France 2024, winning the 14th stage with a commanding solo victory. Pogacar increased his overall lead to 1 minute and 57 seconds over Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike), who moved up to second place in the general classification. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) is now in third, trailing by 2 minutes and 22 seconds.
Stage 14 Recap
On Saturday, July 13, the first high-mountain stage concluded with a dramatic showdown on the climb to Pla d’Adet. Pogacar emerged victorious, finishing 39 seconds ahead of Vingegaard and 1 minute and 10 seconds ahead of Evenepoel. Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos Grenadiers) and Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) completed the top five, finishing 1 minute and 19 seconds, and 1 minute and 23 seconds behind Pogacar, respectively.
This stage win marks Pogacar’s second victory in this year’s Tour. The Slovenian cyclist praised his UAE teammates, particularly Adam Yates, whose strategic moves paved the way for Pogacar’s successful attack.
“The plan was to win the stage in the final sprint and try to gain some bonus seconds, but winning like this is so much better!” Pogacar said. “Adam’s attack put me in an ideal position to launch my move. It’s all thanks to the excellent work of my teammates.”
General Classification Standings
- Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) – Extends lead to 1min 57s
- Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) – Moves up to second place
- Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step) – In third, 2min 22s behind
Despite losing time, Evenepoel retains the white jersey as the best young rider, with a significant lead of 3 minutes and 47 seconds over Carlos Rodriguez.
Tough Day for Evenepoel
Evenepoel faced challenges during the stage, getting caught behind other riders during Pogacar’s decisive attack. “I did what I could,” Evenepoel said. “When Tadej attacked, I was a bit trapped behind others and couldn’t react quickly enough. I tried to follow Jonas but eventually got left behind. I’ll keep fighting for the podium.”
Withdrawals and Crashes
The race saw the withdrawal of Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) and Guillaume Boivin (Israel-Premier Tech) due to health issues. Only 157 riders started the 14th stage, covering 151.9 kilometers from Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan (Pla d’Adet).
Early in the stage, a significant crash forced Amaury Capiot (Arkea-B&B Hotels) to abandon the race. The day’s breakaway included notable riders like Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Bryan Coquard (Cofidis), but they were eventually reeled in by the peloton.
Looking Ahead
The Tour continues with the 15th stage on Sunday, July 14, coinciding with Bastille Day in France. Riders will face a challenging 197.7-kilometer route from Loudenvielle to the Plateau de Beille, featuring a series of tough climbs, including the Col de Peyresourde and the Col de Portet-d’Aspet. The stage promises more excitement as the battle for the yellow jersey intensifies.
Jersey Standings
- Yellow Jersey (General Classification Leader): Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
- Green Jersey (Points Leader): Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty)
- Polka Dot Jersey (King of the Mountains): Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates)
- White Jersey (Best Young Rider): Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-Quick Step)
With Pogacar’s lead growing, the remaining stages will be critical for his rivals to challenge his dominance and keep their hopes alive in the 2024 Tour de France.