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Dutch rider Thymen Arensman won the Tour de France’s toughest stage after a long solo effort over mammoth climbs but Tadej Pogacar increased his overall lead on Sunday AEST.
Arensman, who rides for Ineos-Grenadiers, posted the biggest victory of his career. After crossing the finish line in the deep fog enveloping the ski resort of Superbagneres, Arensman lay exhausted on the road with his head in his hands.
He went solo with 37km left from a breakaway, and quickly opened a comfortable lead. He started the final ascent to Superbagneres, which is more than 12km long, on his own and resisted the return of the main contenders.
It was Arensman’s second Grand Tour stage win, having previously won a stage at the 2022 Spanish Vuelta.
Since Arensman was not a contender for the overall lead, Pogacar and his team managed the race dynamics from behind. With about 8km to go, the yellow jersey wearer and his closest rival, Jonas Vingegaard, were trailing by roughly three minutes.
Vingegaard tried a move with 4km left but Pogacar responded with ease. The two rivals then watched each other closely and Arensman crossed first at the summit, more than one minute ahead of the duo.
Having won the previous two stages in the Pyrenees, Pogacar settled for second place. He accelerated in the final section to gain more time on Vingegaard, who completed the podium.
Overall, Pogacar increased his lead over Vingegaard to 4 minutes, 13 seconds, with Florian Lipowitz in third place, 7:53 off the pace after Remco Evenepoel abandoned his race.
Remco Evenepoel, who was sitting third in the general classification, found himself struggling early on. The peloton endured another grueling day, battling ascents well-known in the Tour’s history such as the Col du Tourmalet, the Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde, and Superbagneres.
The Olympic champion was dropped on the ascent of the Tourmalet. Evenepoel won the stage five time trial but suffered in the Pyrenees.
After struggling during Friday’s uphill race against the clock to Peyragudes, he managed to keep his third place in the general classification.
Ben O’Connor was the highest finishing Australian rider, in 16th place, with Callum Scotson 19th. O’Connor is in 12th position overall.
Meanwhile, a spectator was hit by a car from the Ineos-Grenadiers team on Saturday.
TV footage showed the team car knocking down the fan, who was holding what looked liked a mobile phone, close to the top of the Col de Peyresourde.
The vehicle was following riders on the steep ascent and driving at moderate speed. There was no immediate information available on the spectator’s condition.
The race jury later said Ineos-Grenadiers sports director Oliver Cookson was fined the equivalent of just under A$10,000 for “improper behaviour endangering spectators” and handed a yellow card. Accumulating yellow cards over a defined period of time results in a suspension.
Ineos-Grenadiers apologised “to the fan who was accidentally and regretfully struck by one of our race cars while supporting the riders.
“Like all teams we take great care to maintain a safe race environment for everyone, including the passionate fans who make our sport so special.”
Riders will leave the high mountains on Sunday’s stage during a 169km ride from Muret to the medieval city of Carcassonne.
The race finishes next weekend in Paris.
