Paret-Peintre Triumphs at Mont Ventoux, Vingegaard Struggles Against Pogacar

Valentin Paret-Peintre, a newcomer to the Tour de France, made headlines by clinching victory atop Mont Ventoux, which also marked an emotional moment for the French cycling community as it was their first win at this iconic location in more than two decades. This victory was particularly sweet for Paret-Peintre, who overcame the memories of Julian Alaphilippe’s previous celebration misstep by becoming the fifth French rider to reach this milestone, triumphing over the determined Ben Healy, who narrowly missed earning his second stage win.

Reflecting on his unexpected success, Paret-Peintre had not anticipated such a win that morning, especially given Tadej Pogacar's reputation and prowess. His path to victory was notably opened by the absence of his team leader, Remco Evenepoel, which allowed the climber from Haute-Savoie to exploit the opportunity. He acknowledged the challenge of outpacing Healy in the final moments of the race and decided instead to focus on a sprint finish to secure his win.

As this competition unfolded, Jonas Vingegaard committed to his promise to challenge the race leader Pogacar. Following criticism of his team’s previous performance, Vingegaard's Visma-Lease a Bike squad rallied to provide him with solid support on the challenging climb, hoping to exploit any weaknesses in Pogacar’s approach. Vingegaard praised the teamwork displayed, noting the dedication that helped to push his bid for the lead.

Despite multiple attempts to gain ground on Pogacar, Vingegaard was unable to break through. On the final bend of the climb, Pogacar managed to extend his lead by a few seconds, leaving Vingegaard with little to show for his efforts despite feeling strong. A collision with a photographer at the finish line further complicated matters for Vingegaard, highlighting the challenges faced in the high-stakes environment of the race.

While Vingegaard looked for vulnerabilities in Pogacar's performance, the latter demonstrated remarkable consistency as he matched every attack. The high-energy climb shattered previous records, with Pogacar outpacing the historic benchmark set in 2004 by a significant margin, showcasing his formidable ability. When questioned about the limits of their speed, Pogacar downplayed the idea of extreme enhancements, emphasizing the strength of his team.

The overall standings shifted slightly as Oscar Onley maintained his hold on fourth place, while Primoz Roglic climbed into the top five, and Healy sustained his position within the top ten. This stage revealed not just the determination of the racers but also the intricate dynamics of team strategy and physical endurance crucial to the Tour de France.