"Tim Wellens Triumphs: Belgian Champion Claims First Tour de France Stage Victory!"
🚴♂️ A BREAKAWAY TO REMEMBER! 🚴♂️
Tim Wellens has etched his name in Tour de France history, claiming his first stage victory with a stunning breakaway win on Stage 15! The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider, who has been toiling in support of race leader Tadej Pogacar, finally broke free to conquer the hilly 169.3km ride from Muret to Carcassonne.
🏆 A VICTORY FOR THE AGES:
The 34-year-old Belgian crossed the finish line a remarkable one minute and 28 seconds ahead of fellow countryman Victor Campenaerts, with French cycling legend Julian Alaphilippe rounding out the podium in third. Meanwhile, Pogacar cruised in six minutes later, maintaining a solid four-minute and 13-second lead over Jonas Vingegaard in the general classification.
"It is a very special victory," Wellens exclaimed. "Everybody knows the Tour de France, but not many people win in the Tour de France, so it was very beautiful."
⛰️ A GRUELING TRANSITION:
After three punishing days in the Pyrenees, the remaining 166 riders faced a transitional stage before the second and final rest day in Montpellier. Wellens sensed his moment on the last of three categorized climbs, the Pas du Sant, 55km from the finish.
Emerging from a lead group of eight, he attacked with 44km to go, leaving his competitors in the dust. "I felt super good," he said. "I knew I had to go solo. At the top of the climb, I found my moment and I felt I had the legs to keep it to the end."
🎉 A MOMENT OF JOY:
Wellens was so caught up in the excitement that he forgot to raise his bike in celebration at the finish line! "I wanted a big gap to enjoy it," he admitted, but his joy was palpable.
Three-time Tour winner Pogacar praised Wellens, saying, "I am more happy for him than when I win. Beyond happiness."
🚵♂️ LOOKING AHEAD:
The race resumes on Tuesday with a 171.5km ride from Montpellier, culminating in a daunting climb up Mont Ventoux. Pogacar reflected on the challenges ahead, stating, "This week was one of the hardest second weeks of the Tour that I have ridden because of the terrain."
With big mountains still to come, the battle for the yellow jersey is far from over!
Stage 15 Results:
- Tim Wellens (Bel/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 3hrs 34mins 9secs
- Victor Campenaerts (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +1min 28secs
- Julian Alaphilippe (Fra/Tudor) - +1min 36secs
- Wout Van Aert (Bel/Visma-Lease a Bike) - Same time
- Axel Laurance (Fra/Ineos Grenadiers)
- Aleksandr Vlasov (Rus/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
- Jasper Stuyven (Bel/Lidl-Trek)
- Jordan Jegat (Fra/TotalEnergies)
- Michael Valgren (Den/EF Education-EasyPost)
- Valentin Madouas (Fra/Groupama-FDJ)
General Classification After Stage 15:
- Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Emirates-XRG) - 54hrs 20mins 44secs
- Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) - +4mins 13secs
- Florian Lipowitz (Ger/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - +7mins 53secs
- Oscar Onley (GB/Picnic PostNL) - +9mins 18secs
- Kevin Vauquelin (Fra/Arkea-B&B Hotels) - +10mins 21secs
- Primoz Roglic (Slo/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) - +10mins 34secs
- Felix Gall (Aut/Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) - +12mins
- Tobias Johannessen (Nor/Uno-X Mobility) - +12mins 33secs
- Carlos Rodriguez (Spa/Ineos Grenadiers) - +18mins 26secs
- Ben Healy (Ire/EF Education-EasyPost) - +18mins 41secs
