Mathieu van der Poel It is imposed to Pogacar In the sprint of Boulogne-sur-Mer And we wear yellow. On a day reserved for classications, the Dutch knew how to keep the Slovenian at bay, who could not overcome him in the final meters. In this way, Alpecin adds his second two -stage victory of the Francia Tourafter the one achieved by Philipsen on Saturday and maintain the leadership of the general, although changing a bearer, since it will be Poulidor's grandson who takes it.
The second stage of the Tour de France pointed to a frantic end. After almost all candidates for the general were affected by the fans on Saturday, Sunday's day gave more surprises. The last 30 kilometers were presented as the ideal scenario for good arriving, with a breakupier tour that remembered that of spring classics. Two third levels, another fourth and a wall on the arrival in Boulogne-Sur-MER closed a stage of 209 kilometers.
Fear in the platoon was more than evident. Only Pogacar, Vingegaard and more entered the platoon and fought from the cuts for the fans on the first day. Therefore, there was no margin of error for the rest, if they did not want to lose more ease in these first days of career for their podium options.
Although Pogacar did not leave time and endured with the Visma and his maximum rival, his team left him very alone. In this second stage, those of the UAE dedicated themselves to controlling the race, giving rhythm to neutralize the four escaped. And when the Zafarrancho, Visma, Soudal and Lidl approached they took command of the squad, before the watchful eye of Pogacar, which did not let go of the Vingegaard wheel.
Going Aert started giving speed in the first port, hardening the race and beginning to select the first group. Wellens relieved, with Vingegaard, Pogacar and Van der Poel hooked to his wheel. In addition, a cut was generated by a fall that once again caught Evenepoel and, also, Enric Mas. However, they managed to close the small hole to re -fall to the platoon.
In the hard ramps of Saint-étienne-Au-Mon, the second third level, Groupama hardened the race to leave Romain Gregoire with a group of five cyclists that seemed the decisive one, since Remco Evenepoel, Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar, Matteo Jorgenson and Mathieu Van der Poel formed. Next to nothing. Vauquelin, Laurence and Narváez also entered in a break. The latter, a reinforcement for the world champion, who was looking for yellow since the second day.
Adepts were added, in the absence of crowning outreau, such as Roglic, Lipowitz, Mas, Hirschi, Buchmann, Buitrago, but not Carlos Rodríguez. Until Vauquelin, who won in the second stage of last year's tour, wanted to touch the glory again. Then the visma wasps appeared to launch their boss of ranks. Vingegaard counterattacked and responded again. It was a constant test to everyone's true rival: a Pogacar who clearly wanted the stage.
And in the end the victory was played at the Sprint. Alaphilippe was the first to try on the final ramps, in a chopped end. He did not progress, well covered by the Slovenian and Van der Poel, who was the winner. Vauquelin also tried, but he doubted and what he caused was the launch of the Alpecin cyclist, which won the goal to Pogacar and a vingegaard that came after them.
