Where Vingegaard once managed to crush Pogacar, it is now the other way around on Hautacam: "Time for revenge"

Pogacar broke away just 11.8 kilometers from the top. The attack was initiated by teammate Jonathan Narvaez, after which Pogacar briefly got on the pedals and then launched his attack. Vingegaard managed to follow for a few seconds, but had to let Pogacar go. A long solo followed, in which the new leader in the GC extended his lead.

After the race, Pogacar immediately began his flash interview by talking about his love for the final climb to Hautacam, although the 26-year-old also has some less pleasant memories of it. “I knew from my first time on Hautacam that it was a stunning climb. So I was looking forward to coming back here. But in 2022, Jumbo-Visma (now Visma | Lease a Bike, ed.) was too strong. I almost forgot about this beautiful climb because of that.” That year, Pogacar began to lose ground in the Tour, allowing Vingegaard to take the stage win and the Tour victory.

“Many people said it was time for revenge,” said Pogacar. And that's precisely what happened. Pogacar rode the entire climb alone at the front, with no one else capable of catching him. “I'm very happy to gain time and win on this climb.” In the general classification, Pogacar now has a lead of 3 minutes and 31 seconds over Vingegaard. Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) follows at almost five minutes.

Despite his crash in stage 11, Pogacar is the best in the first mountain test. “Of course, you don't know how your body will react, but it wasn't a bad crash. I only felt my hip when I did some exercises, but you don't make any crazy movements on the bike.”

UAE was not only chasing the large breakaway group that formed in the early stages, but also had the winner of the first mountain stage in their team. “The team did an excellent job today. Compliments also to EF and Healy, they tried to defend the jersey. Uno X also fought for their classification.”

At the end, Pogacar had some heartfelt words after the tragic death of the talented Samuele Privitera, who died after a crash. “I was really devastated when I read that this morning. I thought about him during the last kilometer. It shows what this sport can be like and how much pain it can cause.”