Valentine Paret-Peintre became the first French winner in the Tour de France this year as he issued an attractive phase of 16 Tuesday, caressing Ben Healy of Ireland on top of the mythical summit 1,910m Mont Ventoux Summit.

After them, Jonas Vingegaard attacked the general leader Tadej Pogacar Undoubtedly, but the defensive champion tracked Dane all the way to the 15km climb to extend his two -second lead.

Following four minutes and 13 seconds at the beginning of this phase, Vingegaard attacked with 9 km to climb to Mont Ventoux, the upper reaches of which resembles a lunar landscape.

“I didn’t want to push too hard and then let him have me on a counter. I kept my pace as much as I could,” Said Pogacar, who fought a cold this week.

“He attacked many times, but I just tried to keep the wheel.”

Vingegaard crashed from his bike by a motorbike behind the finish line, but was unharmed, returning to go and congratulate Pogacar for another excellent battle.

“He looked okay,” Pogacar said later.

Pogacar’s team, the United Arab Emirates boss described Vingegaard as a “warrior”.

“He has the intestines and feet, and we expect him to continue to attack every day now. He’s a warrior,” Mauro Gianetti said

However, the battle for general superiority was eclipsed by a frantic struggle for the stage victory between EF Healy and Soudal Quick-Step’s premeditatewho became the first French winner in Mont Ventoux since Richard Virenque in 2002.

“He looked so happy in the finish line,” Said Pogacar, who spent the summit 43 seconds Adrift.

Montux has long been kept in fear of knights and spectators alike, and it has witnessed some of the biggest dramas and tragedies of the tournament.

In 1967, British cyclist Tom Simpson died here after falling into a baking climb.

Big Merckx EDDY once needed oxygen in the summit while Chris froome He ran part of the road during a frantic reception for mechanical help on his way to a third Tour de France title in 2016.

‘Perfect tactic’

Healy, who was wearing the yellow jersey for two days after winning in the sixth phase of Bastille Day, seemed to go to his second phase victory while the two knights approached the end of an epic clash.

Paret-Peintre seemed to be completely drained, but, cheered by the crowd at home, he found a recent increase in force to overcome the Irish with 20 meters remaining and kept in line.

“I was close by giving up. Healy was so strong, but I said to myself, come on, it’s Tour de France, Mont Ventoux,” said Wall-Peintre.

“I knew that if I went on, the last part fit me better than it, as it is really steep. It turned out to be the perfect tactic.”

Healy’s condolence had to be given the price of combating the day while going up to one place in the overall rankings.

Almost unnoticed below the mountain, the German Breakout star Lipowitz Florian consolidated his third place, extending his supremacy in the Scottish fourth country cavalry Oscar Onley about about 30 seconds.

With two other Alpine stages coming and the other five remaining stages, Vingegaard and his team Visma did everything they could to harm the leader of the United Arab Emirates Pogacar here, and can only hope they have tired Pugnouus’s champion.

But the 26-year-old resisted everything he threw, despite being isolated from his teammates early climbing.

Stage 17 should be one for sprinters as Tim Merlier He hopes to add to his two victories in the current green phase and jersey. Jonathan Milan It will also aim for a second win in the direction of 700 meters at the Valence Finish line.

The weather, however, can rewrite the 50 km wind scenario predicted along the 170 km run.