Status: 07/07/2021 5:38 p.m.
Wout van Aert conquered Mont Ventoux as the fastest driver in the 11th stage of the Tour de France. Tadej Pogacar defended the yellow jersey.
The all-rounder of the Jumbo-Visma team won the double crossing of the legendary Mont Ventoux on Wednesday (07/07/2021) as a soloist and celebrated his fourth stage win on a tour of France. Behind van Aert, Frenchman Kenny Elissonde and Dutchman Bauke Mollema secured second and third place.
Pogacar continues towards Tour-Sieg
In the impressive victory of “heavyweight” van Aert, who duped all climbing aces with his body weight of around 80 kilograms, Tadej Pogacar significantly increased his lead in the overall standings – but had to let a rival pull on the mountain for the first time. The Slovenian crossed the finish line 1:38 minutes behind the winner. In the overall standings he is now 5:18 minutes ahead of the Colombian Rigoberto Uran.
“It was super hard today, super hot, super exhausting. The opponents were super strong on the two super difficult climbs – I had to go super deep to my limits,” said the 22-year-old defending champion, who was obviously “super impressed” by a spectacular stage.
Third in the overall standings is the young Dane Jonas Vingegaard (5:32). Teammate van Aerts attacked with the man in the yellow jersey shortly before the second summit passage on the Ventoux and finally pulled away from Pogacar – but on the descent he came back. The previous runner-up Ben O’Connor (Australia) fell back significantly.
Tour de France goes into the final sprint without Martin
Meanwhile, Tony Martin’s tour is over. The four-time world time trial champion had to retire on Wednesday after another fall. The 36-year-old fell about half an hour after the start.
The cause was initially unclear. The television cameras only captured Martin sitting by the ditch with his right thigh grazed and being treated. Then he went to the hospital for further examinations.
Mont Ventoux crossed twice for the first time
For the first time, the Ventoux was crossed twice using different routes. Even if the goal was not on the summit but in the valley town of Malaucène, it was an extraordinary show of strength.
“In the end, it makes no difference whether we climb another mountain or climb the Ventoux twice – it’s spectacular for the fans,” said German climber Emanuel Buchmann, who again refrained from attacking and supported Bora captain Wilco Kelderman: ” I don’t feel so good after the rainy stages in the Alps. ”
Source: sportschau.de