Winner of stage 21 of the Tour de France 2022: Jasper Philipsen

In the sprint-filled race, a Danish challenger named Jonas Vingegaard and a rising Slovenian talent reshaped the narrative by dethroning Tadej Pogačar. Vingegaard seized control on day eleven and, for the moment, extended a lead that keeps the yellow jersey firmly in Danish hands. The showdown in the peaks spilled into the Pyrenees where Pogačar pressed his attack, even tagging the white jersey of the best young rider, but the gap widened as the general classification distance grew. It was a moment that underscored how the Giro-like drama of the Tour can flip in the mountains, and how one day can redefine a season.

Pogačar, meanwhile, faced a setback, losing ground in the high passes and conceding his grip on the lead as Vingegaard and his teammates pressed the pace. In the Pyrenees, the Slovenian appeared resilient, delivering a bold performance that highlighted his previous victories, yet the overall picture remained unchanged for the general classification, with Vingegaard maintaining a slender advantage amid the relentless climbs. This was not simply a one-day duel; it was a strategic contest that tested endurance, teamwork, and the willingness to risk everything in pursuit of glory. Analysts pointed to the Pyrenees as the turning point where the balance of power shifted unmistakably in favor of the Dane, a signal that the race might lean toward a continuation of last year’s surge rather than a repeat of a familiar script.

A memorable clash unfolded between two determined sprinters, leaving spectators with a lasting image of fair play on the road. Vingegaard, wearing the iconic red polka-dot jersey as the king of the mountains, waited for his rival after a late attack, showcasing a level of sportsmanship that shaped the race’s emotional arc. The moment was captured as a reflection of a high-stakes contest where tactics and temperament mingled on the final kilometres.

Last season, Vingegaard had to settle for second place, marking a clear challenge to the defending hierarchy of his 23-year-old rival in the edition. The tone for the next grand tours carried a hint of tension and ambition, as Pogacar returned with renewed resolve after this Tour de France 2022.

The narrative also echoed a historical milestone, with Vingegaard’s victory aligning with a notable achievement from Miguel Indurain in 1992, signaling a homegrown triumph for Denmark beyond the borders of France. Looking ahead, the grand tour schedule pointed to a season opener from Bilbao, deep in the Basque Country, on Saturday, July 1, 2023, highlighting the global reach and evolving routes of the race.

The overall ranking after stage 21 of the 2022 Tour de France is as follows:

1. Jonas Vingegaard Rasmussen (DEN/Jumbo-Visma) 79:33:20

2. Tadej Pogačar (SLO/UAE Emirates) – 00:02:43

3. Geraint Thomas (GBR/Ineos Grenadiers) 00:07:22

4. David Gaudu (FRA/ Groupama-FDJ) 00:13:39

5. Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS/Bora-Hansgrohe) 00:15:46

6. Nairo Quintana (COL/ Arkea-Samsic Team) 00:16:33

7. Romain Bardet (FRA/ Team DSM) 00:18:11

8. Louis Meintjes (RSA/Intermarche) 00:18:44

9. Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ/ Astana-Kazakhstan Team) 00:22:56

10. Adam Yates (GBR/Ineos Grenadiers) 00:24:52

11. Valentin Madouas (FRA/ Groupama-FDJ) 00:35:59

12. Bob Jungels (FRA/ AG2R Citroen Team) 00:45:23

13. Neilson Powless (US/EF-EasyPost) 00:46:57

14. Luis León Sánchez (ESP/Bahrain-Victorious) 00:49:18

15. Thibaut Pinot (FRA/Ineos Grenadiers) 00:50:25

16. Patrick Konrad (GER/ Bora-Hansgrohe) 00:56:54

17. Thomas Pidcock (GBR/ INEOS GRENADIERS) 01:01:15

18. Sepp Kuss (NED/ JUMBO – VISMA) 01:02:29

19. Dylan Teuns (BEL/ BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS) 01:11:30

20. Brandon McNulty (USA/UAE Team Emirates) 01:31:19