Jonas Vingegaard of Jumbo-Visma blows a kiss to the assembled crowd as he wins solo across the line at the top of the Hautacam on Stage 18. It was a sign of relief – and of gratitude to France, and the rest of the world, as he positions himself to win the Tour. Tadej Pogacar (UAE) fought valiantly up the final climb, but his legs gave out, and he let the young Dane go. At 3:26 down on Vingegaard in the overall times, Pogacar will be at a loss to catch before Paris, barring catastrophe.

The day was a duel between two young superstars of cycling: Pogacar with already 2 Tour de France wins to his name and now Vingegaard looking to join him as one of the young elite of the sport.

Their camaraderie was evident on the descent down the Col de Spandelles, during which both riders had scares. A sign of truce and good sportsmanship called off the dangerous downhill fireworks, reserving the true battle for the climb up the Hautacam.

Jumbo-Visma can also credit the success to a superb team effort. Whereas Pogacar has only had American teammate Brandon McNulty (UAE) in the mountains, Vingegaard enjoyed a well-played tag team effort by American Sepp Kuss (JV) who paced the young Dane until handing him off to Wout Van Aert (JV), waiting up the road after an early madcap sprint breakaway. Isolated and exhausted, Pogacar was not able to gain time on his rival in the final mountain stage. A lighter day (stage 19) and time trial (stage 20) follows, but neither offer the Slovenian a good opportunity to catch up.

Elsewhere in the race Geraint Thomas (IGD) kept a strong pace with the dueling leaders for most of the race. The veteran rider holds a firm grip on third place and should arrive in Paris on the podium at third overall, behind Vingegaard (1st, JV) and Pogacar (2nd, UAE). But all this remains to be settled on the road. Wout Van Aert (JV) increases his lead in the race for the green jersey. Simon Geschke (Cofidis) can’t hold on, ceding the polka dots jersey to the deserving Vingegaard, who becomes the King of the Mountains atop the Hautacam. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) has a good day, sneaking ahead of Nairo Quintana (Arkea-Samsic) to 4th place overall. Neilson Powless (EF) remains the highest placed American at 14th place overall after 18 stages. Notable DNSs: Damiano Caruso (BV), Chris Froome (IPT) with Covid-19.