POGACAR WINS STAGE 10 TO EXTEND TOUR LEAD TO THREE MINUTES

Tadej Pogacar claimed his third stage victory at this year's Tour de France on Tuesday, attacking with 15 kilometres remaining on the 166.6-kilometre mountain stage from Aurillac to Le Lioran. Pogacar crossed the line 32 seconds ahead of Remco Evenepoel, with French teenager Paul Seixas finishing third. Jonas Vingegaard, the defending champion, completed the stage 44 seconds behind Pogacar in seventh place. The result extended Pogacar's overall lead to three minutes and 36 seconds in the general classification.

The stage took place on Bastille Day, with French home fans hopeful that Seixas would be in contention for victory. Richard Carapaz had broken clear on the Puy Mary, the third-from-last climb, but Pogacar launched his decisive attack on the penultimate ascent. Evenepoel lost contact with Pogacar before recovering on the descent ahead of the final climb, eventually securing second place as Vingegaard lost further time in the closing stages. Speaking after the stage, Pogacar noted that he had targeted the mountain finish in advance, adding that his legs were "completely destroyed" by the conclusion.

Vingegaard said the result was acceptable, stating his legs were improving and he looked forward to the longer climbs ahead. British rider Tom Pidcock crashed on the Puy Mary descent but recovered to finish ninth on the stage, climbing into tenth place overall. Pogacar's 24th career Tour de France stage win extended his commanding position heading into the remainder of the race.