Pogacar on cusp of fourth Tour title as Groves solos to stage 20 win

Pontarlier: Slovenia s Tadej Pogacar was left standing on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title as Alpecin rider Kaden Groves won yesterday s stag...

Pontarlier: Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar was left standing on the cusp of a fourth Tour de France title as Alpecin rider Kaden Groves won yesterday’s stage 20 after a long-range escape that saw the Australian finish well ahead of the big guns.

Runaway overall race leader Pogacar maintained his lead over Jonas Vingegaard ahead of Sunday’s 21st and final stage in Paris.

The Team UAE rider has a 4min 24sec advantage heading into what could be a tricky finale, a 132km ride from Mantes-la-Ville to the Champs-Elysees, but featuring three ascents of the cobbled streets of Montmartre.

A fourth title now looms for Pogacar who said after a dominant ride across the peaks and plains of France he felt he’s won.

“It’s starting to sink in,” said the 26-year-old, who previously won the sport’s most prestigious cycling stage race in 2020, 2021 and 2024.