Tadej Pogacar dedicates Tour de France victory to fallen teen cyclist

In France, during the Tour de France on July 17, 2025, Tadej Pogacar demonstrated exceptional cycling prowess by winning Stage 12, which culminated at the Hautacam, a key mountain climb. This stage was pivotal as it allowed Pogacar to reclaim the yellow jersey from rival Ben Healy while also marking his 20th career stage victory. Despite having sustained injuries from a crash in a previous stage, Pogacar's performance was remarkable and left his competitors grappling with their losses, especially Jonas Vingegaard, who finished 2 minutes and 10 seconds behind him. The stage was characterized by brutal climbing conditions and intense heat, leading to significant challenges for many riders. Notably, Pogacar dedicated this victory to Samuele Privitera, a promising young cyclist who tragically lost his life due to a crash during a race in Italy earlier that week. When discussing his win, Pogacar expressed his sorrow over Privitera's accident, acknowledging the inherent dangers of the sport and the emotional weight it carries. As the Tour advanced, the implications of this win positioned Pogacar favorably for securing his fourth overall title. Moving forward, Stage 13 presented another challenge—a 10.9km time trial that would test Pogacar's resilience and ability to maintain his lead amidst continued competition from fellow cyclists like Remco Evenepoel and Vingegaard, who were looking to recover lost time. The mix of physical endurance and emotional tribute set a dramatic tone for the ongoing race.