Jonas Vingegaard soared to a crushing triumph on stage 16 of the Tour de France on Tuesday, winning the 22.4km time trial by 1min 38sec from Tadej Pogacar, who was second.
Jumbo Visma rider Vingegaard attacked from start to finish with a win that extended his overall lead in the Tour de France to 1min 48sec over Team UAE rider Pogacar. "I'm hugely proud of what I achieved today," the defending champion said. "But the Tour de France is not finished yet, we have to fight all the way to Paris." Vingegaard has employed largely defensive tactics against Pogacar, who seems unable to resist his impulses when presented with a chance.
The former fish factory worker has also insisted throughout his defense campaign the Tour would not be won by a few seconds. "I knew straight away I was on a great day," Vingegaard said. "This stage was a major part of what we planned, but not just this one." The margin of the win was a surprise.
Ahead of the start of the stage most riders tipped Pogacar to win. "It's today you win the Tour! Come on! Come on! Come on," Vingegaard's team shouted to him over their radio as times showed the Dane was crushing Pogacar along the way.