PARIS — Danish rider Jonas Vingegaard sealed his second consecutive victory at the Tour de France, as the iconic race concluded on the renowned Champs-Élysées.
With a substantial lead over his main competitor, Tadej Pogačar, the 2020 and 2021 champion, Vingegaard knew that the victory was essentially secured before the largely ceremonial final stage of the 110th edition of the Tour.
The 26-year-old Vingegaard celebrated with his Jumbo-Visma teammates, indulging in champagne and capturing the moment through photos as they made their way to Paris.
Reflecting on his journey, Vingegaard expressed, “It has been a long and yet remarkably swift journey. Day after day, this grueling race presented me with intense challenges against Tadej. I cherished every moment. I hope to return next year and strive for a third triumph.”
Over the course of three weeks and covering a distance of 2,116 miles, the riders encountered eight mountain stages spanning five mountain ranges. Vingegaard asserted his dominance during two stages in the Alps.
Up until that point, there was little to separate the two rivals. However, Vingegaard established a significant lead after finishing a time trial with a remarkable 1 minute and 38 seconds advantage over Pogačar. He then followed up the next day by completing the race’s toughest mountain stage almost 6 minutes ahead of his exhausted opponent.
“I’m completely spent,” admitted Pogačar.
In response, the Slovenian rider managed to secure a victory in the penultimate stage on Saturday. Nevertheless, Vingegaard still had an insurmountable lead of 7 minutes and 29 seconds heading into the final stage—a primarily ceremonial stage that traditionally favors sprinters.
Though cautiously mindful of avoiding any mishaps, Vingegaard expressed his excitement on Saturday, stating, “We must remain cautious not to make any foolish mistakes, but I cannot contain my joy at securing my second victory at the Tour de France.”
Tour de France Concludes with Exciting Finale on the Champs-Élysées
The 2022 Tour de France came to a close on Sunday with an exhilarating finish on the cobblestones of the famous Champs-Élysées. The traditional final stage took an unexpected turn when organizers made the decision to take the times one lap before the finish due to rain. This set the stage for an intense sprint battle for the stage victory.
Belgian cyclist Jordi Meeus emerged victorious in a thrilling photo finish, narrowly crossing the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen, Dylan Groenewegen, and Mads Pedersen. Meeus, who reached an impressive top speed of 42.8 mph in the final kilometer, expressed his joy at claiming his first Tour de France win.
“This has been an incredible experience for me, especially since it was my first Tour. And to come out on top today is simply indescribable,” said Meeus.
Meanwhile, Tadej Pogačar, wearing the white jersey as the best young rider, continued to make history. The 24-year-old Slovenian secured the best young rider classification for the 75th consecutive day, extending his remarkable record. Pogačar has held this title every year since 2020.
However, despite his impressive performance, Pogačar had to settle for second place in the general classification once again. British rider Adam Yates, Pogačar’s teammate, finished third overall, with his twin brother Simon just behind him.
One of the standout moments of this year’s Tour was the successful comeback of Colombian rider Egan Bernal. The 2019 Tour de France winner made a remarkable recovery from a life-threatening crash earlier this year. Bernal narrowly avoided paralysis after an accident with a bus during a training session in Colombia in January.
Reflecting on his journey, Bernal expressed his gratitude and emotions. “It’s hard to compare this victory to the year I won, but it holds the same significance for me. Yesterday, during the final climb, I was so fortunate to be alone and savor the last kilometers. It was an incredibly emotional moment,” said Bernal.
As the 2022 Tour de France reached its conclusion, fans and riders alike celebrated the thrilling battles, incredible achievements, and unforgettable moments that graced this iconic race.
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