Vingegaard retains Tour lead as Poels wins in Alps

Dutch climber Wout Poels won the 15th stage, raced in the shadow of Mont Blanc and dedicated his win to the memory of recently deceased teammate Gino Maeder.

In the long-term duel for the overall title between the two top riders, Vingegaard remains 10 seconds ahead of Pogacar.

In the Alps, Vingegaard appears to have stemmed the tide. After three days of Pogacar clawing back time, the last two stages been even, with Vingegaard gaining second over the weekend.

The 179km run from Les Gets to Saint Gervais Mont Blanc was again dominated by both their duel between, and also by a series of falls.

Pogacar twice attempted characteristic blistering late attacks. Vingegaard caught up both times and then sped past approaching the line, only to slow and look his Slovenian rival in the eye as they crossed together.

Monday is a rest day ahead of a potentially decisive individual time-trial on Tuesday which is followed by another Alpine stage on Wednesday.

Pogacar said he was looking forward to the next two stages.

"Tuesday's time trial will provide a shake up, and Wednesday's stage has some of the hardest climbs in cycling," said the 2020 and 2021 Tour winner.

"Tuesday and Wednesday will decide the winner of the Tour. I have tested the course for the time-trial and I like it," said the UAE rider.

His Danish rival also likes the look of Tuesday's test, and suggested he was saving his powder.

"I felt good today, I don't know if I was thinking about attacking, but it didn't make sense," said Vingegaard.

"I like short, hard time-trials like (Tuesday's), there will be lots of change of pace and I like that."

Young gun consolidates third place

Carlos Rodriguez is more than five minutes behind in third, but the 22-year-old Spaniard, on his first Tour,