The third week of the Tour got underway in Montpellier. After the start in the coastal city, an intense battle unfolded for a place in the breakaway. Following a fast opening hour, a group of over thirty riders, including Tiesj Benoot and Victor Campenaerts, managed to break away from the peloton. The leading group gradually thinned out as the stage progressed, with the iconic Mont Ventoux climb awaiting at the end.  

Seven riders reached the foot of the Mont Ventoux. Ben Healy and Valentin Paret-Peintre engaged in a gripping duel on the legendary mountain, with the Frenchman ultimately taking the win. Meanwhile, Team Visma | Lease a Bike set a fierce pace in the peloton.  

Vingegaard launched his attack with about eight kilometers to go. Only Pogačar was able to match the Dane’s acceleration. Vingegaard quickly caught early attacker Benoot, who provided valuable support for a few hundred meters. After Benoot’s effort, Vingegaard attacked again. Not long after, Campenaerts was also caught and briefly took the lead. In the final kilometers, Vingegaard made one last attempt, but Pogačar did not crack. The two riders finished close together.  

“The team was fantastic today,” Vingegaard said afterward. “Everyone gave everything they had, and I want to thank them for that. I didn’t gain time today, but I take a lot of motivation from this performance. I felt really good again and I’m satisfied with the attacks I made. As I’ve said before: I’ll keep trying all the way to Paris.”  

“We wanted to make it a real battle today, and I think we succeeded,” Head of Racing Grischa Niermann reflected. “The team rode very strongly, and Jonas looked impressive. Our plan was to send a few riders into the breakaway. Tiesj and Victor executed that perfectly. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to crack Pogačar, but I’m proud of how the guys fought. We’ll keep attacking in the upcoming Alpine stages as well.”