Pogačar did not deliver any last-minute fireworks as the rain and hail teemed down at La Plagne, his one attack halfway up the climb reducing the front group to the four top names on the GC, after which he seemed content to lead at a steady but not relentless pace ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).

W atching stage 19 of the Tour de France in a freezing La Plagne, just beyond the finish line, everyone was counting down the kilometres until Tadej Pogačar would launch his usual stinging attack. Would it be 5km to go? 3km? Even 1km? He has the speed.

Tour de France overall leader Tadej Pogačar suffered a big scare when he bumped into the team car of chief rival Jonas Vingegaard before the start of the 18th stage then went on to cement his grip on the yellow jersey.

Tadej Pogačar is once again the man to beat in this year's Tour de France. His bike of choice has been Colnago's radically aero Y1Rs

Tadej Pogačar descended the Mont Ventoux on Tuesday evening with his overall Tour de France lead intact after successfully resisting Jonas Vingegaard's fiercest climbing onslaught to date in this year's race, and with another achievement - the record time for the ascent of the 'Giant of Provence' - also added to his already massive palmares.