Jonas Vingegaard survives another day in yellow: "The plan worked out perfectly"

Jumbo-Visma were reduced to six riders, however stayed solid in the lead of the race and responded promptly to all attacks of Tadej Pogacar during the 16th stage of the Tour de France.

“Tadej made some good attacks, but I expected him to try. We handled it well as a team," Vingegaard told reporters at the end of the stage. After crashing in stage 15 and having a rest day the day before, a lot could happen en route to Foix. The race leader has put all doubts that could appear to the side, resisting once again to all attacks from Tadej Pogacar and keeping the lead he started the day with.

On three occasions the Slovenian tried to surprise at the Port de Lers, but with a response on each occasion. Both Nathan van Hooydonck and Wout van Aert, who were in the day's breakaway, had an important role in discouraging Tadej Pogacar from attacking in the Mur de Péguère - where the gradients were steeper and chances of surprising, smaller.

"We had two men up front who came back at the right time to help. The plan worked out perfectly," Vingegaard added. "We are still in the lead with the same difference and I am very happy about that.”

With two Pyrenean stages left, so far Vingegaard has looked spotless in the yellow jersey. “I take it all as it is. If I win, I win. If it isn't, there's nothing you can do about it. As long as I do my best, that's what it is. If I don't win, there's nothing I can do about it," he concluded.