Tour victory tangible after mega solo: Van Vleuten takes 24 minutes away from the yellow jersey

Tour victory tangible after mega solo
Van Vleuten takes 24 minutes from the yellow jersey

The penultimate stage of the Tour de France becomes a demonstration of power by Annemiek van Vleuten. The exceptional driver leaves the assembled competition behind with an impressive solo drive – and outclasses her compatriot in yellow by more than 24 minutes. Now there is still a mountain finish waiting.

Annemiek van Vleuten from the Netherlands is close to winning the overall women’s Tour de France. The three-time world champion won the demanding mountain stage over 127.1 kilometers to Le Markstein as a soloist and took over the yellow jersey. Second-placed Demi Vollering was already 3:26 minutes behind, behind them there were already large time gaps and the previously leading Dutchwoman Marianne Vos collapsed completely.

“It was incredible. I just had to try today,” said van Vleuten (Movistar Team Women), who is in front of the double after triumphing at the Giro d’Italia: “It was a roller coaster ride after I was ill. It is unbelievable. My mentality is to attack. I had to make up some time. I just survived six days. The stage was right for me,” said van Vleuten, who had complained of stomach problems on the first few days.

The Olympic champion in the individual time trial was in a class of her own on the climb through Alsace, which included climbing 1,338 meters over the Großer Belchen, the highest peak in the Vosges. Van Vleuten attacked 62 kilometers from the finish – and was never caught. In the overall standings, she is now 3:14 minutes ahead of Vollering before the final stage.

The decision will be made on Sunday at the top of the Planche des Belles Filles, where a stage of the men’s tour ended on July 8th. At that time, escapee Lennard Kämna was started only 100 meters from the finish by the pursuers around the eventual winner of the day Tadej Pogacar.

The Dutchwoman Marianne Vos, who had extended the overall lead the day before with her second stage win, was 24:44 minutes behind van Vleuten at the finish and was also passed in the overall classification. Two-time stage winner Lorena Wiebes (Team DSM), wearing the green jersey of the driver with the most points, did not compete after her violent fall the day before.

source site-59