On Friday, the cyclists covered less than 144.6 kilometers with one first and two higher category climbs, as well as one intermediate finish at the beginning of the stage.
The fourth victory in the stages of this year’s bicycle race was celebrated by the leader of the general classification, Slovenian Tadej Pogačar (UAE), finishing in four hours, four minutes and three seconds.
American cyclist Mateo Jorgenson (“Visma” a Bike”) was 21 seconds behind, and British Simon Yates (“Jayco AlUla”) was 40 seconds behind.
Pogachar’s closest followers in the general standings, Belgian Remko Evenepouls (“Soudal Quick-Step”) and Danish Jonas Wingegord (“Visma” a Bike”) lost one minute and 42 seconds to Pogachar, taking fifth and sixth place respectively.
Neilands (“Israel – Premier Tech”) and Skujiņš (“Lidl – Trek”) lost 40 minutes and 34 seconds to the winner, taking 94th and 98th place respectively in the competition of 143 athletes.
In the overall standings, Pogachar is ahead of Wingegard by five minutes and three seconds, but Evenepool loses to Pogachar by seven minutes and one second.
Skujiņš is two hours 21 minutes and 30 seconds behind the leader, occupying the 41st place, while Neyland loses three hours 19 minutes and 22 seconds to the leader, occupying the 64th place.
Due to security and logistical concerns related to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the French Tour will end in Nice instead of Paris. Cyclists will cover 3,492 kilometers during the bike ride.
Skujiņš is starting his sixth “Tour de France” cycling race, while Neyland is participating in the prestigious cycling race for the fourth time.
For the last two years in a row, the Danish cyclist Jonas Wingegord has been undefeated in the Tour de France.
Source: www.diena.lv
