Campenaerts Secures Stage 18 Victory as Pogacar Holds onto Lead.

Posted 4 months ago

Victor Campenaerts of Belgium broke away from a small group to claim the win on stage 18 of the 2024 Tour de France.

Victor Campenaerts, along with Michal Kwiatkowski and Matteo Vercher, maintained their lead in the closing stages of the 179.5km Tour de France route from Gap to Barcelonnette.

The 32-year-old Lotto–Dstny rider surged ahead in the final 100 meters, securing his first-ever Tour stage victory comfortably.

The yellow jersey group finished more than 13 minutes later, with Tadej Pogacar maintaining his overall lead of three minutes and 11 seconds.

Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard holds second place, with Remco Evenepoel five minutes and nine seconds behind Pogacar in third.

With two mountain stages and an individual time trial left, Thursday's stage was crucial for non-GC contenders to aim for a breakaway victory.

Throughout the day, a breakaway group of over 30 riders, including Ineos Grenadiers' Kwiatkowski and Geraint Thomas, the 2018 champion, held prominence.