Jonas Vingegaard put in a dominant performance in the individual time trial on Stage 16 of the Tour de France, obliterating Tadej Pogacar to take a massive 1:38 lead in the general classification. Vingegaard, who started the day with a 10-second lead, was simply untouchable in the time trial, averaging 54.16 kilometers per hour over the 22.4-kilometer course. Pogacar, on the other hand, struggled, losing over a minute to Vingegaard and dropping to second place overall.
The result is a major blow to Pogacar’s hopes of winning a third consecutive Tour de France title. With just two more mountain stages remaining, it would take a herculean effort for Pogacar to overturn Vingegaard’s lead.
“I’m really happy with my performance today,” Vingegaard said after the stage. “I knew I was in good form, but I didn’t expect to be that far ahead of Tadej. It’s a huge step towards the overall victory.”
Pogacar was gracious in defeat but acknowledged that Vingegaard was simply the better rider on the day.
“Jonas was the better rider today,” Pogacar said. “I gave it my all, but there was nothing I could do. I’ll keep fighting until the end, but it will be very difficult to win the Tour now.”
With two mountain stages remaining, the Tour de France is far from over. However, Vingegaard is now the overwhelming favorite to win the race and become the first Danish rider to wear the yellow jersey in Paris.
