STA, 14 July 2021 - Slovenia's cycling star and yellow jersey wearer Tadej Pogačar won the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday to increase his overall lead. Pogačar, the defending champion riding for UAE Emirates team, remains the man to beat at this year's race ahead of the final four stages.
Pogačar tackled the punishing Col du Portet climb in the 178.4 km stage with aplomb and made his decisive attack just 100 metres from the line to seal the second Tour de France stage win this year and secure precious seconds as the race leader.
Facing the final four stages, he is five minutes and 39 seconds ahead of the second-placed Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark (Team Jumbo-Visma). In third place is Ecuador's Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers).
"A fantastic day. To win in a yellow jersey is something I cannot describe," the 22-year-old Pogačar told the organisers.
What now awaits Pogačar and other riders looking to beat him is the final mountain test on Thursday, less hilly terrain on Friday, the 31km time trial on Saturday and the final stage on Sunday.
