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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Lawrence Ostlere

Tour de France 2020: Tadej Pogacar sensationally snatches yellow jersey in dramatic stage 20

Photograph: POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Tadej Pogacar stands to claim a stunning overall victory in the Tour de France after his friend and compatriot Primoz Roglic cracked in a dramatic time trial on La Planche des Belles Filles.

Roglic began the day with a 57-second advantage in the yellow jersey he has worn for 11 days, but it all went wrong for the pre-Tour favourite in the 36.2km time trial which ripped up expectations before Sunday's traditional procession into Paris.

In one of the most dramatic and closest finales to the Tour since 1989, Pogacar, the 21-year-old making his Tour debut, won the stage in a time of 55 minutes and 55 seconds to give him an incredible triple of the yellow jersey as well as the King of the Mountain's polka dots and the best young riders' white.

Roglic conceded almost two minutes on the stage, crossing the line dejected as he was made to settle for second place.

Richie Porte overhauled Miguel Angel Lopez to claim third and his first career podium finish in the Tour, in what the 35-year-old admits will be his last entry as a team leader before his expected move to the Ineos Grenadiers next season.

"I think I'm dreaming," said Pogacar, before his interview was interrupted by Roglic who came in to embrace the new race leader.

"I really don't know what to say, it's unbelievable. I don't know when I will get this. I'm really proud of the team, they dud such a big effort all the way to get the yellow jersey on the final day, it was just a dream.

"We were dreaming that from the start and we achieved that and it's just amazing. It was not just me, it was all the team. We did the recon - I knew every corner, every pothole on the road, where to accelerate. It was a road you need to know and that's all thanks to my team.

"My dream was always just to be in the Tour de France, and now I'm here and I've just won before tomorrow the last stage, it's unbelievable."

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