Pogacar's revenge has succeeded, and Vingegard is even threatened from behind.

Tadej Pogačar secured his 124th professional victory in the 11th stage of the Tour de France, finishing nearly half a minute ahead of the first chasing group and more than a minute clear of Jonas Vingegaard. The Slovenian cyclist’s win came after a hard-fought battle in the central Massif region, where he overcame the challenges posed by Vingegaard, who had previously beaten him in the preceding stage. Pogačar’s performance marked a significant shift in the overall standings, as he closed the gap with Vingegaard, currently leading the race, to just 54 seconds. The 11th stage, stretching from Vichy to Nevers over 161.3 kilometers with 1,400 meters of elevation gain, was designed to favor sprinters. However, Pogačar demonstrated his versatility by navigating the challenging terrain effectively. He surged ahead of his rivals during the climb up Col du Pertus, a first-category ascent located halfway through the stage. In a dramatic move, Pogačar gained 40 seconds on Richard Carapaz, who had been leading the chase, before distancing himself further from the rest of the field. His final margin of victory was impressive, with Pogačar crossing the finish line well ahead of the competition. Pogačar expressed his satisfaction with the win, acknowledging the difficulties faced during the stage. “Today was incredible,” he said. “We had been targeting this stage for a long time. Last year, Jonas beat me in the sprint, and even today I felt similar fatigue near the finish line, but I enjoyed the ride.” This victory brought Pogačar closer to the record for the most stage wins in Tour history, placing him just one behind French cyclist Adre Leducq, who achieved the feat almost a century ago. Despite his success, Pogačar did not escape criticism from some fans, who reportedly booed him upon his arrival at the finish line. In response, he stated, “Those who shouted ‘buuu’ at me, I just want to say that it only motivates me.” His comments highlighted his determination to continue pushing forward despite the pressure of competing against Vingegaard, who has dominated much of the race so far. The results of the previous stage, which took place from Aurillac to Le Lioran over 166.6 kilometers with 3,800 meters of elevation gain, saw Pogačar finish first with a time of 3 hours, 58 minutes, and 8 seconds. Vingegaard came in seventh, adding 44 seconds to his deficit behind Pogačar. As the overall standings stand, Pogačar trails Vingegaard by 3 minutes and 36 seconds, but his recent performance suggests he is gaining ground. The dynamics of the race have shifted significantly following Pogačar’s win. With the 11th stage completed, the focus now turns to the remaining stages, where both cyclists will aim to secure their positions. The upcoming days will test their endurance and strategies as they navigate through varied terrains and potential challenges. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see how the rivalry between Pogačar and Vingegaard will unfold in the final stretch of the Tour de France.