In the final stage in the French Pyrenees, between Lourdes and Hautacam, challenger Tadej Pogacar was under pressure to make up a lot for the remaining three, significantly flatter stages.
With 27 kilometers to go, however, he overturned.
Today's stage winner, Jonas Vingegaard, chose to wait him in to shake hands before the duo continued to press on in the competition.
Pogacar pays tribute to Vingegaard afterwards.
- I have nothing but respect for Jonas Vingegaard.
I think we respect each other a lot, says Pogacar according to the BBC.
Vingegaard and Pogacar were together for a long time as a first chasing duo.
But on a descent, Pogacar fell and scratched himself badly.
He quickly caught up with Vingegaard again but all the strength he had needed for a jerk was gone.
Instead, it was Vingegaard who, thanks to traction from his teammate, and today's third, Wout van Aert, was able to pull away to victory in the stage, one minute and four seconds ahead of Pogacar.
This means that Vingegaard's lead in the total is now up to three minutes and 26 seconds.
Vingegaard also wins, with today's victory, the mountain prize competition.
- It is unbelievable.
This morning I told my girlfriend and daughter that I wanted to win for them, and I did," said Vingegaard, according to the BBC.
- I am really happy and proud.
Three stages remain before the cyclists reach the classic finish on the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Sunday.
The last time a Dane won the Tour de France was in 1996 when Bjarne Riis took home the competition one minute and 41 seconds ahead of the German Jan Ullrich.