Pogacar's Stunning Performance

Tadej Pogacar reclaimed the overall lead of the Tour de France with a breathtaking performance on the Hautacam climb, winning Stage 12 by a significant margin. The Slovenian cyclist, despite nursing injuries from a previous fall, demonstrated remarkable resilience and strength.

Key Moments of the Race

• Early Breakaway: Pogacar surged ahead early on the 13.5km ascent, establishing a lead that he maintained throughout the climb.
• Rivalry with Vingegaard: Jonas Vingegaard, Pogacar's main rival, finished second, but the gap widened to 2 minutes 10 seconds, the largest margin in this year's Tour.
• Team Support: UAE Emirates-XRG teammates, including Tim Wellens and Adam Yates, played a crucial role in setting up Pogacar's decisive attack.

Impact on General Classification

Pogacar's victory not only secured him the yellow jersey but also extended his lead over Vingegaard to 3 minutes 31 seconds. Other notable performances included Remco Evenepoel's efforts to maintain his third-place position and young British rider Oscar Onley's climb to sixth overall.

Tribute to Samuele Privitera

Pogacar dedicated his win to Samuele Privitera, a 19-year-old Italian rider who tragically passed away after a crash at the Giro della Valle d'Aosta. This victory added a poignant note to an already emotional stage.

Looking Ahead

With the Tour moving into the Pyrenees, the competition is expected to intensify. Pogacar's dominant performance on the first summit finish sets the stage for an exciting battle in the upcoming stages, particularly the time trial where Evenepoel hopes to close the gap.

Stage 12 Results

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 4hrs 21mins 19secs
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +2mins 10secs
3. Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +2mins 23secs

General Classification After Stage 12

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 45hrs 22mins 51secs
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3mins 31secs
3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal Quick-Step) +4mins 45secs

As the 2025 Tour de France progresses, all eyes will be on Pogacar to see if he can maintain his lead and secure another title in Paris.