Vingegaard of Denmark wins his debut Tour De France

After Sunday’s 21st and final stage, Jonas Vingegaard won his first Tour de France crown, capping a victory he had essentially sealed in the mountains following a legendary battle with Tadej Pogacar.

The 25-year-old followed up on his unexpected second place last year. Five years ago, he was working as a fish packer in a factory in the morning before exercising in the afternoon.

As Belgian Jasper Philipsen won the final stage in a sprint ahead of Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen and Norwegian Alexander Kristoff, who placed second and third, respectively, he completed Sunday’s ride to the Champs Elysees safely in the group.

Vingegaard created the groundwork for his triumph in the tenth stage, when he and teammate Primoz Roglic fiercely pursued Pogacar and forced him to falter over the ascent to the Col du Granon.

Pogacar continually fought back, but Vingegaard and his Jumbo-Visma squad managed to hold off the tenacious Slovenian. The new champion then sealed the victory by taking another victory at Hautacam in the final mountain stage.