Credited from: REUTERS
Tadej Pogacar of UAE Team Emirates claimed victory in stage seven of the Tour de France, regaining the yellow jersey after a strong performance on the steep slopes of the Mur de Bretagne. The Slovenian champion outpaced Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard in a sprint finish, with Britain's Oscar Onley taking third in a thrilling race. This victory is Pogacar's 19th career stage win at the Tour, boosting him to a total time of 25 hours, 58 minutes, and 4 seconds, leading the overall standings by 54 seconds over Remco Evenepoel who finished sixth on the day, according to Reuters, BBC, and Le Monde.
The day featured challenges and drama, including a late nine-rider pile-up that marred the finale. Pogacar gained critical time over his rivals with a sprint finish that saw him collect ten bonus seconds for the win, increasing his lead in the general classification. Vingegaard, who finished nearly at Pogacar's wheel, commented on the intense competition that characterized the stage, emphasizing his determination to stay close to the defending champion, according to Reuters, BBC, and Le Monde.
Mathieu van der Poel, who held the yellow jersey prior to the stage, finished 22nd and slipped to fifth overall, while Pogacar's teammate Joao Almeida suffered a fall that may hinder his participation in upcoming stages. Pogacar dedicated his victory to Almeida, underscoring the team's supportive dynamic amidst the challenges of the race. The spirited crowds in Brittany cheered throughout the day, providing a celebratory atmosphere, in line with the historic significance of the Mur de Bretagne climb, according to Reuters, BBC, and Le Monde.