By Julien Pretot
COMBLOUX, France (Reuters) – Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard destroyed rival Tadej Pogacar in Tuesday’s individual time trial to gain a massive time and psychological edge in their fight for the Tour de France title.
The Danish rider won the 16th stage, clocking 32 minutes and 36 seconds over 22.4 kilometres from Passy to beat 2020 and 2021 Tour winner Pogacar by 1:38 and stretch his overall lead to 1:48.
Vingegaard made a strong start, reaching the first check point at 7.1km with a 16-second advantage over his rival.
The Dane took all the risks in the descending portions and reached the foot of the Cote de Domancy (2.5 at 9.4%) with a 31-second lead.
While the Jumbo-Visma leader stayed on his time trial bike, Pogacar gambled and switched for a lighter road bike, hoping to make up for some time in the climb.
It had no effect.
Pogacar did not look smooth while Vingegaard was flying, delivering a huge blow to the Slovenian ahead of Wednesday’s gruelling 17th stage between Saint Gervais and Courchevel.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Christian Radnedge)
