In the greatest escape across the Alps since Julie Andrews led the Von Trapp fugitives to safety in the Sound Of Music, Jonas Vingegaard rode into the Yellow Jersey.
As the Tour de France caught fire on an epic stage, Britain's Geraint Thomas climbed every mountain to stay in contention as deposed leader Tadej Pogacar – who had looked invincible – cracked. The Slovenian, on a hat-trick of titles at Le Tour, was threatening to turn the route to Paris into a procession.
But with Pogacar's team depleted by Covid, Danish warrior Vingegaard – runner-up 12 months ago – seized his chance on the unforgiving Col du Granon and surged over the horizon. For Thomas, winner of the Yellow Jersey in 2018 and runner-up three years ago, it was just his rotten luck that, on the day he finally reeled in Pogacar, Vingegaard should cut loose.
