Tadej Pogacar unleashed a vintage assault on the unforgiving slopes of Hautacam, crushing the Tour de France 12th stage and leaving chief rival Jonas Vingegaard gasping for air and clinging to fading hopes on a brutal,

Denmark hasn’t given up hope for a third Tour de France victory from Jonas Vingegaard ( Visma | Lease a Bike), but the reality is sinking in—it’s going to be a monumental task to wrest the yellow jersey away from Tadej Pogacar (UAE Emirates-XRG).

The defending champion proved he was a class above the rest with a dominant 12km solo win on the Hautacam climb

While Tadej Pogacar has been enjoying a dream Tour de France run this year, his main rival Jonas Vingegaard and his once almighty team are now closer to third than first place after just one high mountain stage on Thursday.

After his attack on the Hautacam, the yellow jersey wearer from UAE Team Emirates - XRG stepped it up a notch: he gained a whopping 36 seconds on Jonas Vingegaard, who finished second. A strong Primoz Roglic finished third at a respectable distance,