LUCHON-SUPERBAGNERES, France (AP) — Dutch rider Thymen Arensman won the Tour de France's toughest stage after a long solo effort over mammoth climbs and Tadej Pogačar increased his overall lead on Saturday.
Arensman, who rides for the Ineos-Grenadiers team, posted the biggest victory of his career. After crossing the finish line in the deep fog enveloping the ski resort of Superbagnères, Arensman lay exhausted on the road with his head in his hands.
He went solo with 37 kilometres left from a breakaway, and quickly opened a comfortable lead. He started the final ascent to Superbagnères, which is more than 12 kilometres 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.
As Arensman posed no threat to the overall standings, Pogačar and his teammates controlled the race from the back, with the yellow jersey holder and his main challenger Jonas Vingegaard trailing by around three minutes with eight kilometres remaining.
Vingegaard tried a move with four kilometres left and Pogačar 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, Pogačar settled for second place. He accelerated in the final section to gain more time on Vingegaard, who completed the stage podium.
Overall, Pogačar increased his lead over Vingegaard to four minutes, 13 seconds, with Florian Lipowitz in third place, 7:53 off the pace after Remco Evenepoel abandoned.
Ottawa's Michael Woods was the top finisher for Israel Premier Tech in 45th with teammate Guillaume Boivin of Longueil, Que., crossing the line in 100th.
Evenepoel, who was third overall, struggled early on as the peloton faced another day of suffering on climbs that are part of the Tour's lore such as the Col du Tourmalet, the Col d’Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and Superbagnères.
The Olympic champion was dropped on the ascent of the Tourmalet. Evenepoel but suffered in the Pyrenees.
After struggling during Friday’s uphill race against the clock to , he managed to keep his third place in the general classification, more than seven minutes behind Pogačar.
Sunday's stage
Riders exit high mountains during a 169-kilometre ride from Muret to the medieval city of Carcassonne. Although the route could favour sprinters, the Côte de Saint-Ferréol and then the Pas du Sant, a 2.9-kilometre climb at 10 per cen%, could provide opportunities for bold challengers seeking a breakaway.
The race finishes next weekend in Paris.
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