The first mountain stage in the French Pyrenees began with a long, flat run-in. A large breakaway, including Tiesj Benoot, was gradually whittled down on the Col du Soulor. The race came to life on this climb thanks to the yellow-black formation. Team Visma | Lease a Bike took control at the front of the group of favorites, forcing yellow jersey wearer Ben Healy to drop early. Matteo Jorgenson and Remco Evenepoel also struggled, but managed to rejoin the group a bit later.

As the reduced group approached Hautacam, they chased down Bruno Armirail, who was still off the front from the breakaway. As soon as the final climb began, Pogacar launched an immediate attack. Vingegaard tried to follow, but couldn’t hold the Slovenian’s wheel for long. Jorgenson, Sepp Kuss, and Simon Yates had already been distanced earlier. Pogacar rode away unchallenged to take the stage win. Vingegaard eventually conceded just over two minutes and now faces a significant deficit in the general classification.

“Our plan was to make the race as hard as possible today. We did that, but unfortunately, Matteo had to drop early”, Head of Racing Grischa Niermann says. “After that, we eased the pace a bit, but the goal was still for Jonas to attack on Hautacam. There, Pogacar was clearly the strongest.”

Niermann continues: “Of course, we've ended up with a big gap in the general classification, but we’re still in second place. Tomorrow we’ll give it our best in the time trial and then see what’s possible. We remain combative.” Friday’s time trial is the second this Tour de France. After a few flat kilometers, it finishes with an eight-kilometre climb to Peyragudes.