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
Lovely little shot of a sweeping left hand turn. Excellent stuff.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:55
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Britain’s Fred Wright crosses the line just over one minute down on Bissegger’s benchmark time. A brilliant ride from the 22-year-old.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:50
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
A total of 66 riders have now rolled down the ramp and 40 have finished the course. Still 76 riders yet to get going today.
I did warn you it’s a long old slog…
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:48
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Fred Wright catches and passes former world champion Philippe Gilbert! Clearly the youngest rider in the race is putting everything into it today!
The Brit has impressed in his first Tour de France and has deserved to see Paris.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:45
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Bissegger crosses the line to set the new benchmark. You imagine it will be beaten by the likes of Kung, Van Aert, Vingegaard and Pogacar. Still, a really impressive ride nevertheless.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:40
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
No rider other than Tadej Pogacar has won a time trial at the Tour de France for two years. Slightly over-inflated stat given there have only been two so far.
Still, will that change today?
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:35
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Bissegger goes faster than Bjerg! The margin in the end was just eight seconds but still good enough. His time was 36 minutes and 37 seconds.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:31
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Bjerg coasting to another catch.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:30
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Mikkel Bjerg has caught Lukas Pöstlberger and Petr Vakoc during his run. You can see the difference between those going for the win and those just simply getting the job done.
Bjerg sets the best time. 36’45 for the Dane as he takes more than one minute off the time of Walscheid. Bissegger looks like he is going to go even faster though.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:26
Tour de France latest: Stage 20
Stefan Bissegger goes 18 seconds faster than Mikkel Bjerg at the second time check. Really impressive from the Swiss rider so far. Let’s see if he can keep it going for the final 10km.
Dylan Terry17 July 2021 13:24