Pogacar Closes In On Victory As O'connor Wins Stage 18

Tadej Pogacar took a immense measurement towards winning his 4th Tour de France by racing clear of rival Jonas Vingegaard connected nan mighty Col de la Loze, arsenic Ben O'Connor claimed triumph connected shape 18.

Pogacar, 26, powered clear of his closest rival successful nan last 500 metres to widen his lead complete two-time champion Vingegaard to 4 minutes and 26 seconds pinch conscionable 3 stages left.

He crossed nan statement 1 infinitesimal and 45 seconds down Australian O'Connor, who went solo pinch 16km remaining.

Vingegaard was 3rd complete nan line, followed intimately by Britain's Oscar Onley - now conscionable 22 seconds down Florian Lipowitz successful nan last wide classification podium spot pursuing an outstanding ride.

The queen shape of this year's title featured 3 iconic climbs, forcing riders to flooded much than 5,500m of elevation successful 171.5km of racing.

All 3 ascents came nether nan hors categorie - nan race's toughest mountains - pinch nan Col du Glandon and Col de la Madeleine preceding nan Col de la Loze.

At 2,304m supra oversea level it represented nan highest constituent of this year's title - and apt confirmation of Pogacar's latest triumph.