Pogacar stretches Tour lead with win on Bastille Day

Tadej Pogacar stretched his overall lead to more than three minutes as he raced clear for his third stage win of this year's Tour de France.

After Monday's rest day, stage 10 offered closest rival Jonas Vingegaard a chance to close the gap in Le Lioran, where he beat Pogacar in a two-man sprint to the line in 2024.

With the 166.6km mountain stage from Aurillac taking place on Bastille Day, home fans were hoping French teenager Paul Seixas would be in contention.

But Pogacar went solo with 15km remaining and maintained that gap to cross the line 32 seconds before Remco Evenepoel, with 19-year-old Seixas just behind him in third.

Vingegaard crossed 44 seconds after Pogacar in seventh, meaning the defending champion now leads the Dane by three minutes and 36 seconds in the general classification standings.

"We targeted this stage from a long time ago," said four-time Tour winner Pogacar.

"Two years ago, Jonas beat me in the sprint fair and square. Today was similar, my legs to the finish were completely destroyed, but yeah, I enjoyed the day."

Richard Carapaz got clear on the Puy Mary, the third-from-last climb, but Pogacar attacked on the penultimate climb before claiming his third win on Bastille Day and his 24th stage win overall.

Vingegaard led the chasing group and although Evenepoel lost touch, he recovered on the short descent before the final rise to the line then charged into second as Vingegaard conceded more time over the final metres.

"It was an OK day for us, it could be a lot worse, that's for sure," said Visma-Lease a Bike rider Vingegaard.

"My legs are getting better and better, and I'm looking forward to the longer climbs."

British rider Tom Pidcock crashed on the Puy Mary descent but recovered to finish ninth on the stage and climb into 10th overall.

Booing fans fuel Pogacar finish

Pogacar's bid to land all of cycling's top honours has not been popular with all fans.

With victory already secured in Tuesday's stage, Pogacar gave his all right to the line.

Some fans booed him at the finish, but Pogacar dismissed the idea that he was ramming home his dominance.

He explained that his team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, tried new radios on Tuesday and he lost communications with 10km remaining.

"I didn't know what the gap was, who was doing what, and all I had in my mind is try to keep pushing to the top," said the 27-year-old.

"There was a little bit of doubt in my head [because of] two years ago, [when] I was empty in the sprint.

"In the final, I didn't know I was going to win until the last kilometre, and then I remembered it's Bastille Day and I tried to honour the yellow jersey.

"Thanks to all the fans that came today. It was an amazing atmosphere, even though there was some booing. To all the guys that were booing, you gave us more power."

There has been a suggestion that UAE are trying to get this year's Tour in the bag as early as possible, allowing Pogacar to stay fresh enough for a shot at this year's Vuelta a Espana - the only Grand Tour he is yet to win.

As Pogacar chases a record-tying fifth Tour title, he said: "You never know how long it lasts and we just need to be grateful for these moments."

Stage 10 results

Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 3hrs 58mins 8secs

Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +32secs

Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +34secs

Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) Same time

Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Trek) +38secs

Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) Same time

Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +44secs

Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +1min 31secs

Tom Pidcock (GB/Pinarello-Q36.5) +1:59

Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorious) +2:03

General classification after stage 10

Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 36hrs 15mins 2secs

Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3mins 36secs

Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:06

Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Trek) +4:22

Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +4:35

Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +4:44

Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +5:08

Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) +5:45

Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorious) +6:34

Tom Pidcock (GB/Pinarello-Q36.5) 11:49