Pogacar Extends Tour de France Dominance with Bastille Day Stage Win as Vingegaard Falters and Evenepoel Pounces

Le Lioran, France – Tadej Pogacar extended his lead in the Tour de France with another imperious solo victory on the 10th stage to Le Lioran, in the Massif Central, strengthening his grip on the yellow jersey on Bastille Day with a performance that underlined his complete dominance of this year's race.

The Slovenian now leads the Tour by more than three and a half minutes from longtime rival Jonas Vingegaard, who wilted and lost more time to the other podium contenders. Over a stage with seven categorised climbs, including the first category Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol and Col de Pertus in the final hour of racing, Pogacar again asserted himself over the peloton with a trademark attack on the penultimate climb.

Wearing yellow, Pogacar delivered the kind of dominant win expected of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, stretching his lead in GC still further. Another phenomenal performance. "In a galaxy of his own," said commentator Rob Hatch.

Pogacar's Dominant Display

"Today was incredible," said a slightly bored-looking Pogacar after his third stage win of this year's race. "The team did a super-good job. We targeted this stage from a long time ago.

"Like the last time here, my legs were destroyed in the end. I didn't know I was going to win until the last kilometre. I remembered it was Bastille Day – and wanted to honour the yellow jersey.

"Thanks to all the fans who came today … Even though there was some booing … to all the guys who were booing: they give us more power.

"It's funny, today we were trying new radios. When there was too much public [too many fans on the road] I couldn't hear anything … I didn't know what was the gap, I didn't know what was happening behind. I just tried to keep pushing.

"Two years ago Jonas came [at the end]. I had this in my head until the finish.

"So far, the Tour was perfect for the team … [today] suited us really well … perfect climbs today for each rider in the team, everyone could do their job.

"You never know how long it lasts. We just need to be grateful for these moments …"

Booing and the Djokovic Inspiration

His latest victory, however, was met with some boos from the roadside crowd, something not seen since the domineering days of Team Sky and Chris Froome, almost a decade ago.

"I have haters and haters gonna hate," Pogacar said afterwards. "To all the booers who are there, they just give more boost to my teammates. They put wood on the fire."

Pogacar clarified his comments by stating that "cycling fans are the greatest between all sports" and that "99% of people are cheering," but he pointed to tennis star Novak Djokovic as an inspiration to overcome his doubters.

"I always think about Novak Djokovic and the great mentality he has because he has had one of the toughest careers [with] getting boos and unnecessary hate because he is the greatest," Pogacar said. "I always look up to him when someone is booing, and think about him."

Vingegaard's Struggle

Despite Pogacar's triumph, his UAE Team Emirates-XRG teammate Isaac del Toro lost time in the fight for the podium, with Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel replacing him in third place.

While Pogacar is showing no signs of letting up, Vingegaard struggled, though he was not too despondent with finishing 12 seconds adrift of Evenepoel. "I always struggle on short climbs like this," the Dane said.

Vingegaard's Admission: 'I Almost Quit'

In recent days, Vingegaard has admitted that he considered walking away from the sport a year ago. Burnout in the peloton was an issue of debate towards the end of last year's race and Vingegaard's stuttering performance on the stage to Le Lioran came in the wake of his admission to Danish television, on the Tour's first rest day, that he almost quit racing in 2025.

"I said last year that if this was how it was going to be, I couldn't be in it any more," said Vingegaard, who survived a life-threatening crash in April 2024. "As a cyclist, you feel like you're constantly on a diet. You always have to think about your weight, and you're always out training. A lot is demanded of you. It takes a toll on your body and your mind."

At the start of the 2025 Tour, the double champion's wife, Trine Hansen, said: "It's a really difficult life because there's so much travel back and forth. It starts in February and then it's back and forth every or every other week. It goes on until the season ends."

Despite his unhappiness, Vingegaard went on to finish second to Pogacar in Paris, an achievement that he may not repeat this year.

"That's also why we changed some things. I also think the team realised that this was how it was, and they could also tell from me that I wasn't happy last year. They accepted that we had to change something, and we did. If it is hard to be away for such a long time, then you have to do something else, and that is what we have done for me this year," he said.

Evenepoel's Rise

Although Vingegaard, who won both Paris-Nice and the Giro d'Italia earlier this year, said that he is "much more" motivated this season, he now faces the double-headed challenge of both Pogacar and a pursuing Evenepoel.

Evenepoel finished second on the stage, 32 seconds behind Pogacar, and moved into third place overall. The Olympic champion's recovery was impressive after looking cooked at points during the stage. "Wow, that is an impressive recovery," commentators noted.

General Classification After Stage 10

Pogacar now leads Vingegaard by 3min 36sec atop the general classification. But his teammate Del Toro drops to seventh.

What's Next

Wednesday's 11th stage, from Vichy to Nevers, offers the main contenders the chance to take stock, while the sprinters seek to make the most of what are becoming increasingly rare opportunities to win.

Stage 11 is a flat stage, albeit with 1,400m of climbing to negotiate. The sprinters will be feeling the pressure again, with stage-winning opportunities so limited.

Whether Vingegaard's motivation will still be enough to continue to do battle with the marauding Pogacar and his UAE Emirates-XRG team into the second and decisive half of the Tour remains to be seen.