Now is the time! The final mountain stage of the 109th Tour de France is virtually the last chance for Tadej Pogacar to attack the hitherto so confident patron Jonas Vingegaard. And for Simon Geschke, every point is at stake in the battle for the mountain jersey.
Showdown in Hautacam
At an altitude of 1520 metres, the preliminary decision on the overall victory in the 109th Tour de France may well be made. If defending champion Tadej Pogacar does not manage to shake off his rival Jonas Vingegaard on the final climb to Hautacam, the first Tour triumph is unlikely to be taken away from the Dane. "This will be a tough stage. I'm optimistic. I can still win the Tour," said Pogacar. Vingegaard is 2:18 minutes ahead of the two-time champion Pogacar. A lead that the Slovenian will hardly be able to make up in the individual time trial on Saturday. Third place on the podium is likely to go to former Tour winner Geraint Thomas if the Welshman doesn't suffer a major setback.
Another feat of strength
Simon Geschke has already picked up the mountain jersey on the Tour podium nine times in a row. If he wants to reach Paris in the white kit with the red dots, he absolutely has to score points on the final stage of the Pyrenees. With 64 points, he is twelve points ahead of Vingegaard and 18 ahead of Pogacar. As the two top stars are likely to duel on the final climb, Geschke should score points on the Col d'Aubisque if possible.
Can the French cheer for once?
No stage win yet, and the podium in Paris is a long way off for David Gaudu and Romain Bardet in 5th and 6th place. Will the hosts possibly come away empty-handed? The last time there was no stage win was in 1999. Back then, Richard Virenque won the mountains jersey and thrilled his compatriots. World champion and crowd favourite Julian Alaphilippe will be sorely missed.
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