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Incredible Act Of Sportsmanship At Tour De France From Leader Vingegaard

Incredible Act Of Sportsmanship At Tour De France From Leader Vingegaard

By Colman Stanley Jul 21, 2022 5:45 PM

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Yellow jersey holder Jonas Vingegaard gifted us with a truly remarkable act of sportsmanship on today's stage 18 of the 2022 Tour de France.

Race-leader Vingegaard came into today's stage with a significant lead over Tadej Pogacar. The stage also featured the final major climb of this year's Tour de France, meaning Pogacar had to be aggressive and take risks in what would likely be his last opportunity to gain time on his rival.

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Shortly after a near fall from Vingegaard, Podagcar went too quickly around a bend and crashed into a small grassy hill. Despite the title of cycling's greatest race being on the line and with no obligation to slow down for a crash which was Pogacar's own fault, Vingegaard waited for the Slovenian to catch up with him.

Upon catching up with the Dane, Pogacar held out his hand for him to shake and immediately began attacking again, in what was an unforgettable Tour de France moment.

😱 Jonas Vingegaard with a huge save
💥 Tadej Pogacar goes down
🤝 The yellow jersey waits for his rival to catch up and they shake hands

There really is 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 else like the Tour de France 💛#TDF2022 | @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/uavPNO9U7v

— Eurosport (@eurosport) July 21, 2022

“And now it’s Pogacar who makes the mistake!” said Rob Hatch on Eurosport commentary. "Vingegaard is ahead, Pogacar down. It’s him pushing it on too hard who loses control. Pogacar trying to push the envelope, it’s been ripped up though in front of him."

“Wow, what a moment. That is incredible," continued Hatch after Vingegaard's act. "The race leader, being challenged by the man who’s trying to push it, waits and allows Pogacar back and then shakes his hand."

Whether Vingegaard truly felt sorry for Pocagar, or the Danish rider wanted no asterisks beside a Tour de France victory, karma was good to the leader, and he won the stage a full minute and four seconds ahead of second placed Pogacar, effectively sealing the Tour de France title with three stages remaining.

The three stages left consist of two flat stages and a time trial, with little opportunity to make up the three and a half minutes needed by Pogacar.