Pogačar Recovers From Crash To Lead Tour de France

Tadej Pogačar, the Slovenian cycling superstar and three-time Tour de France champion, overcame a crash in Stage 11 to dominate the race, notably delivering a crushing performance on the Hautacam climb that left rivals like Jonas Vingegaard more than two minutes behind. Despite the crash causing minor abrasions, Pogačar's rivals showed sportsmanship by waiting for him, and he maintained second place overall, just behind leader Ben Healy. Pogačar's remarkable comeback demonstrated his resilience and solidified his position as the clear favorite to win the 2025 Tour de France, as his lead over key competitors like Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel has grown significantly. However, Pogačar expressed frustration with the demanding logistics of the race, noting the excessive travel time between stages, which has made the Tour physically taxing beyond the cycling itself. The race dynamics suggest that while the time trial and remaining mountain stages still await, Pogačar's dominance has made the competition for the yellow jersey appear largely decided. The spirit of the race has been marked by both Pogačar's outstanding form and the respect shown by competitors during his recovery from the crash.