The Dane spent more than 100 kilometers in the front.
A summit finish, the first of this year’s edition, awaited the riders Friday afternoon, before the second weekend of the race. La Super Planche des Belles Filles, an ascent that had been previously used in 2019, was a nasty one, averaging 8.7% over seven brutal kilometers, which also included some gruelling, double-digit gradients near the top.
In the opening 40 kilometers, a fierce battle for making into the breakaway took place, and when a group finally zipped clear, Kasper Asgreen was there for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, helping the leaders establish a three-minute advantage over the peloton. His adventure at the front of the race came to an end on the penultimate climb of the stage, where the group began crumbling. The bunch pushed hard there and on Super Planche, bringing back all the attackers, before making way for the GC contenders to fight for the win, which was nabbed by Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) in the final meters.
The Tour de France continues Saturday with a stage tailored to the baroudeurs, who will have a fair chance of making it as the bunch will visit Switzerland for a punchy finish in Lausanne, a city which hasn’t featured on the course since 2000.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele / Getty Images
Kasper Asgreen 
