Interesting Tour de France Facts
Follow all the latest updates from stage 20 of the Tour de France today.
Today is the day Tadej Pogacar secures his second Tour de France title. The 22-year-old Slovenian is set to become the youngest rider in the history of the race to win the Tour twice. This afternoon’s stage is the second individual time trial, a 30.8 kilometre course perfect for Pogacar to extend his huge lead in the general classification. He comes into it with five minutes and 45 seconds in hand over second place Jonas Vingegaard, a massive lead he will keep a hold of providing he avoids any crashes.
Pogacar won the first time trial on stage five with a remarkable show of strength, beating Vingegaard, Wout van Aert and TT specialist Stefan Kung. Can he do the same again today to take his fourth victory of this year’s race?
We are set to see the same contenders for the win. Pogacar and Vingegaard may have worn each other down in the high mountains, leaving an opportunity for the likes of Kung. But Van Aert has been quiet over the last few days, so he could well be the man to beat this afternoon.
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Michael Morkov took 45 seconds off Declercq’s time but his position at the top of the leaderboard was short lived as a third Quick Step rider took command in the shape of Dries Devenyns.
He crossed the line more to knock more than 90 seconds off the lead time.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:55
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Our first rider of the day Tim Declercq crosses the line in a time of 40 minutes and 20 seconds. He is first…out of one.
He’s time will not sit at the top of the leaderboard for very long though. We have now had more than 30 riders down the start ramp.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:53
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Another Quick Step rider goes fastest at the second checkpoint, this time it’s Dries Devenyns. He goes more than one minute faster than Michael Morkov.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:48
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Mark Cavendish’s leadout man Michael Morkov has set the fastest time at the second checkpoint at 20.1 kilometres. He has gone seven seconds faster than the Manx Missile.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:45
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Greipel has begun his individual time trial, his penultimate stage in the Tour de France. Celebrated his 39th birthday yesterday and confirmed this will be his final season as a professional.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:42
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
He just looks brilliant on a bike, doesn’t he?
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:40
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Cavendish sets the fastest time at the first checkpoint. Admittedly, he was only the third rider of the day to go through. But still, it’s something!
He still has a way to go and doesn’t seem to be in too much difficulty.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:35
Tour de France latest: Andre Greipel announces retirement
Legendary sprinter Andre Greipel has announced this will be his final Tour de France and that he will retire at the end of the season.
The 39-year-old has won 11 stages in the Tour and more than 150 professional races during a star-studded career.
Chapeau Andre!
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:32
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Chris Froome is off! The four-time Tour de France champion starts ninth on today’s stage. Here is 133th out of 142, an alien position for him, but he seems to be enjoying it nevertheless.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:27
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
And here’s the green jersey Mark Cavendish! All eyes will be on him tomorrow on the Champs-Elysees. As for today, he just needs to get around comfortably. A little wave to the crowd as he starts his ride.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 12:22
Source: The Independent