Pogačar did not deliver any last-minute fireworks as the rain and hail teemed down at La Plagne, his one attack halfway up the climb reducing the front group to the four top names on the GC, after which he seemed content to lead at a steady but not relentless pace ahead of Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike).

Riding behind O'Connor, Vingegaard and Pogačar closely watched each other in the final climb. Vingegaard attacked his Slovenian rival but Pogačar responded with ease. Vingegaard and his teammates had also tried to hurt the defending champion earlier in the day in the Col de La Madeleine, but their effors left Pogačar unfazed.

Tadej Pogačar is once again the man to beat in this year's Tour de France. His bike of choice has been Colnago's radically aero Y1Rs

Jeroen Swart tells L'Equipe that world champion is at his absolute peak, having made huge improvements after change of coach in 2023

An exhausted Tadej Pogačar reacts to the conclusion of Tour de France Stage 19, saying he's happy it's over — and looking forward to the final two stages as he closes in on the title over Danish cyclist Jonas Vingegaard.

Tour de France overall leader Tadej Pogačar suffered a big scare when he bumped into the team car of chief rival Jonas Vingegaard before the start of the 18th stage then went on to cement his grip on the yellow jersey.

Tadej Pogačar shrugged off any issues or injury but confirmed he 'collided' with a Visma-Lease a Bike team car before the start of stage 18 of the Tour de France to Col de la Loze.