Tadej Pogacar takes his fifth stage win in the Tour de France 2024

Tadej Pogacar's victory in the last stage of the 2024 Tour de France seals, if it wasn't already, a race that he has dominated with tremendous superiority and that will serve him to certify the Giro-Tour double after the time trial that remains as the culmination of these three weeks in tomorrow's stage between Monaco and Nice.

Maximum intensity to finish the 2024 Tour de France

Spectacular twentieth stage in the 2024 Tour de France, a short stage, of just 132 kilometers but with no less than 4 ascents: Col de Braus, the mythical Col de Turini, Col de la Colmiane and the final ascent to Col de la Couillole. A demanding day in which few things were left to be resolved in terms of the general classification given Tadej Pogacar's enormous dominance.

The remaining doubts focused on whether Remco Evenepoel could assault the second place in the general classification or if his teammate Mikel Landa could do the same with the fourth place occupied by Joao Almeida. Also in suspense was the outcome of the mountain classification in which Richard Carapaz had managed to snatch, after yesterday's stage, the polka dot jersey from Tadej Pogacar.

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As expected, the day started at full speed, with many interested in catching the breakaway of the day and where it seemed that a significant group was going to consolidate soon. However, UAE Team Emirates did not like the situation and put their men to work on the Col de Braus, not only neutralizing the breakaway but leaving a group of just a dozen cyclists at the front when practically the entire stage was still to be disputed.

Enric Mas took advantage of the confusion to attack and went ahead in the company of Bruno Armirail and Wilco Kelderman in what could be described as the breakaway of the day, although there was still much to see.

Indeed, on the endless Col de Turini, a chasing group was formed led by Richard Carapaz, Soler, Bardet, or Stuyven as the most notable names that managed to reach the front already with the summit within reach, which allowed Carapaz to add valuable points from this first-category climb towards the mountain classification.

Meanwhile, the situation behind changed as Soudal-QuickStep clearly took on the weight of the race with a clear intention of maximizing Remco Evenepoel's chances. The Colmiane was ascended without changes in the race situation, and we arrived at the foot of the final climb to Col de Couillole where the escapees barely maintained a 3-minute advantage over the main group, which, considering what happened in yesterday's stage, made their hopes of winning the stage very difficult.

Enric Mas was the first to unleash the hostilities with an attack 11 kilometers from the finish line, going ahead with Richard Carapaz on his wheel. From here on, a festival of attacks between them began, giving us some of the best moments of cycling that we have enjoyed throughout this 2024 Tour de France.

Behind, a strong Mikel Landa made the final push, leaving the group of favorites with just 7 riders. A lot of strength until, 7 kilometers from the finish, Remco Evenepoel made his move. An attack that was unsuccessful as Jonas Vingegaard responded easily, only managing to drop a determined Mikel Landa.

After regrouping, the pace increased in the group, and about 5 kilometers from the finish, Remco Evenepoel tried again with tremendous force. For a moment, it seemed like he could harm Vingegaard, but it was just an illusion as the Dane not only neutralized the attack but responded with a strong counterattack that completely shattered Remco.

Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar then went in pursuit of the leading group formed by Mas and Carapaz, where attacks continued between them but were unsuccessful. With just over two and a half kilometers to go, they were caught, and they had no choice but to stay behind Pogacar and Vingegaard, but at this stage of the 2024 Tour de France, the level is what it is for everyone, and first Enric was dropped, crossing under the one-kilometer banner, it was the Ecuadorian who gave way.

Only the outcome of the stage remained to be known, where Tadej Pogacar left no room for excitement. A strong and decisive sprint 200 meters from the finish line that Jonas had no reaction to, allowing the Slovenian to cross the finish line victorious in his 5th triumph of this edition of the Tour de France, figures that traditionally seemed only within reach of sprinters.

Thus, the 2024 Tour de France is completely decided, as Vingegaard managed to secure the second place in the general classification by leaving Remco Evenepoel 55 seconds behind at the finish line. Meanwhile, Richard Carapaz also secured the Mountain Classification, distancing Tadej by 30 points.

Stage 20 Classification

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 4h04'22''
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +07''
3. Richard Carapaz (EF Education-EasyPost) +23''
4. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) +53''
5. Enric Mas (Movistar Team) +1'07''
6. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +1'28''
7. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +1'33''
8. Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep) +1'41''
9. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +1'43''
10. Romain Bardet (DSM-firmeninch-PostNL) +1'52''

General Classification

1. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 82h53'32''
2. Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) +5'14''
3. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep) +8'04''
4. Joao Almeida (UAE Team Emirates) +16'45''
5. Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep) +17'25''
6. Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) +21'11''
7. Carlos Rodríguez (INEOS Grenadiers) +21'12''
8. Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike) +24'26''
9. Derek Gee (Israel-PremierTech) +24'50''
10. Giulio Ciccone (Lidl-Trek) +25'48''