Pogačar now holds a 4-minute 26-second lead over the Dane in the general classification with three days to go before the finish in Paris.

There are just three stages remaining in the 2025 Tour de France. Source: AAP / Christophe Petit Tesson / EPA

Starting the day with a deficit of 4 minutes and 15 seconds, Vingegaard had attacked 71km out.

O’Connor, from the Jayco-Alula team, said he was relieved to triumph again four years after his success in the Alps at Tignes.

“Congrats to Ben. How he rode today, that’s his victory.”

Three days remain

“It’s not finished yet; we still have three days to go. These three weeks feel incredibly lengthy. By the time you reach the third week, everyone starts getting on your nerves. You need strong legs and a bit of luck, and only then does it work out,” Pogačar continued.