With three stages remaining, including the last two in the high mountains, the Dane cemented his status as a huge favourite by winning 31 seconds ahead of a group that included the main leaders, with the exception of Frenchman David Gaudu.

With this 9th success of the year, the winner of the last Tour de France, new yellow jersey, is now 1 min 10 ahead of Ben O'Connor and 1 min 23 on Julian Alaphilippe, third overall and second of the stage after settling the group of pursuers.

And Vingegaard didn't even do it on purpose. "I didn't want to attack today, just defend my position. But Richard (Carapaz) left so I followed him," said the Jumbo-Visma rider before paying, on the verge of tears, an emotional tribute to the victims of the Annecy attack.

"I'm very happy with my performance. But on a day like today, with what happened in Annecy, cycling doesn't really matter. My thoughts are with all families. It really touches me," said the young father who learned the news from his wife whom he called just after arrival, as usual.

After a first attack by Carapaz briefly followed by Alaphilippe, the Dane flew about fifteen kilometers from the finish, in the difficult Côte de Thésy (3.6 km at 8.8%) to mark his territory three weeks before the start of the Tour de France (1-23 July).

"Unplayable"

"He was unplayable, a notch above in the climb, he was not +followable+," applauded Alaphilippe, himself rather happy with his day.

"I have no regrets. Once I jumped off the Carapaz wheel, I managed my climb well," said the former two-time world champion.

Another French leader, David Gaudu, on the other hand, has still lost ground. Already struggling the day before in the time trial, the Groupama-FDJ climber did not, unlike his young teammate Lenny Martinez, manage to keep in touch with the group of main pursuers.

The Breton is now 25th at 3 min 22 sec of the yellow jersey. Enough to cause a little concern for the Tour de France where he is aiming for a place on the podium, even if we preferred to relativize within his team.

"We had a very big training camp and I think we're tired. We are in the passage times, we are here to work, "insisted his teammate Valentin Madouas.

For Vingegaard, on the other hand, all the lights are green, while the Dane will defend his crown in July against Tadej Pogacar, who is currently training in the Sierra Nevada after breaking his left wrist at the end of April.

"We saw during yesterday's time (Wednesday) already that he was in good shape. For sure it's a good sign," commented his French teammate Christophe Laporte.

"I'm a bit surprised at the gaps I was able to create in the general classification. Now the plan will be to defend the yellow jersey and go for another stage if I feel good," said Vingegaard, second in last year's Dauphiné, who will have the opportunity to establish his dominance this weekend in two very difficult alpine stages.

The peloton will start attacking the mountain on Friday with a finish in the small ski resort of Crest-Voland, at 1,218 meters above sea level, after three climbs in the final, including the Col des Aravis.

© 2023 AFP