Team Visma | Lease a Bike would have known it was a tough task to try and wrestle the Maillot Jaune from a seemingly faultless Tadej Pogacar on stage 19. In the end, Pogacar showed again just how good he is at the moment, breaking the hearts of not only Jonas Vingegaard, but also Matteo Jorgenson in the process.
After starting the day in full out attack mode, sending multiple riders into the break for a potential stage win or satellite rider for a Vingegaard attack, Team Visma | Lease a Bike were pressed firmly onto the back foot on the final climb of the day as with around 9km to go, Pogacar launched another terrifyingly brutal attack, blowing Vingegaard out of the water in the process.
Although a third Maillot Jaune and the general classification was all but officially wrapped up by this attack from Pogacar, the stage win was still hanging in the balance for the UAE Team Emirates leader. At the time of Pogacar's move, Jorgenson was a lone leader, just shy of three minutes up the road.
Sadly for the American however, even this was not enough to hold off a rampant and ravenous Pogacar. With still 2 kilometres of climbing to go, the Slovenian caught and passed his American rival, kicking again clear and eventually gaining a further 21 seconds advantage by the team he reached the finish line.
Having put so much effort into not only this stage and this Tour, but just to even be present after injury in Vingegaard's case, emotions were understandably high for the Dane and his loyal teammate after such a tough to take finale to the day. After crossing the line, both Jorgenson and Vingegaard were consoled by their teammates and family, with the two time Tour de France winner looking notably heart broken.
See the scenes for yourself in the video down below!
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