Kaden Groves of the Alpecin-Deceuninck squad secured victory in the second-to-last stage of the Tour de France, covering the route from Nantua to Pontarlier, while Tadej Pogacar navigated what appeared to be the last significant stage of the event.
With the final stage in Paris possibly affected by adverse weather, the Slovenian rider stands close to clinching his fourth title in six years.
As numerous teams continued their pursuit of a stage win, the battle to form the day’s leading group was intense, marked by aggressive moves and late efforts in the closing stages.
The course passed through the Ain, Jura, and Doubs regions, with the last hour disrupted by heavy rain. A crash 21 kilometers from the finish altered the race's outcome.
The defining moment occurred on the descent of the Côte de Longeville, 24 kilometers from Pontarlier. After Harry Sweeny of EF Education-EasyPost’s solo attempt was neutralized, Romain Grégoire of Groupama-FDJ surged ahead.
However, on a sharp left turn made treacherous by the rain, Iván Romeo of Movistar and Grégoire fell at high speed, sliding into a concrete barrier. Grégoire regained his position, but Romeo was left injured.
Following the incident, a trio, including Groves, broke free, with the Australian later launching a solo move 16 kilometers from the line.
Groves, 26, widened his lead in the closing stretch to win by nearly a minute, adding his first Tour stage victory to previous wins in the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España.
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