Jonas Vingegaard was always in control, as he won his second Tour de France title with an awe-inspiring display, after mastering a swashbuckling Tadej Pogacar in what had threatened to be one of the greatest editions of the world's biggest cycling race.
The defending champion and the Slovenian all-rounder, who was repeatedly on the attack in the opening stages, went toe to toe for two weeks, entering the third block of racing separated by only 10 seconds, with the pair in a league of their own, after relegating their challengers to the role of extras.
In Tuesday's time trial, Vingegaard produced the performance of a lifetime to crush Pogacar and, in a sport that has been marred by doping scandals, talk about a vintage duel gave way to skepticism, with the yellow jerseyholder having to face repeated doping-related questions.
Vingegaard denies taking any performance-enhancing drugs and anti-doping authorities say the Danish rider has been tested 18 times on the Tour, eight times in June and at each of his three training camps at altitude.
On Wednesday, the win was effectively wrapped up for Vingegaard, as Pogacar, whose preparation had been hampered by a wrist fracture in April, cracked in the last alpine stage on the Col de la Loze, France's toughest climb.
Pogacar bounced back to win the last mountain stage in the Vosges, but it was too late for the Slovenian, who has now finished second behind Vingegaard two years running.
Reuters
