‘We expected to be a bit behind by now’: Vingegaard reacts after losing yellow to Pogacar
Jonas Vingegaard lost the yellow jersey to Tadej Pogačar on stage 3 of the 2026 Tour de France, but the Dane insisted Visma | Lease a Bike remain in a strong position after the first Pyrenean test.
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Pogačar powered clear in the final sprint to Les Angles, opening a two-second gap on Vingegaard at the line and taking the stage victory from a reduced group of GC contenders. The bonus seconds helped the Slovenian draw level with Vingegaard on the general classification, while the maillot jaune changed shoulders on countback.
Vingegaard had moved into yellow after the Barcelona team time trial and started Monday’s stage as race leader, but the punchy finale at Les Angles tilted the contest back towards Pogačar.
“It’s clear that I lose the leader’s jersey, and that’s disappointing, of course, but on a finish like this I can be fine and satisfied with it,” Vingegaard told TV 2 Denmark at the finish. “I’m on the same time now, and that’s actually fine for us. We had perhaps expected to be a bit behind at this point. It’s a good starting point for us.”
Vingegaard now sits second overall on the same time as Pogačar, with the race lead decided by stage placings until the two riders are separated on time.
Vingegaard surprised by UAE
The Dane was less surprised by the intensity of the stage than by the way it was ultimately decided.
He had expected the breakaway to contest the victory, but Visma and UAE Team Emirates-XRG kept the day’s escape within reach throughout. The break’s advantage never grew much beyond 2:40, and the last survivor was caught before the final climb.
“I’m not surprised that the start was so hard, but I’m surprised that it was for the favourites,” Vingegaard said. “I had actually thought it would be a breakaway that made it home. But UAE wanted to win again. They did a good piece of teamwork. It was well ridden by them.”
Pogačar also moved into the lead of the points classification with his stage win, but with the yellow jersey taking priority, Vingegaard is set to wear green on Tuesday.
Result: Tour de France stage 3
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