The 2022 Tour de France ended July 24 with Jonas Vingegaard’s first win. The Dane beat Tadej Pogačar by 2:43, ending the Slovenian’s two-year reign. Starting in Copenhagen, the race featured brutal climbs and crashes. Pogačar faltered late, while Vingegaard’s Jumbo-Visma team dominated. Fans lined French roads, cheering chaos and sprints. The yellow jersey swapped hands until the Alps.
Stage 11’s Col du Granon saw Vingegaard seize control with a bold attack. Pogačar, usually untouchable, cracked under pressure that day. Crashes earlier sidelined stars like Primož Roglič, shifting dynamics. Denmark’s early stages drew huge crowds, a Tour first. Heatwaves tested riders, with water breaks added mid-race. The battle was a tactical chess match on wheels.
The women’s Tour relaunched alongside, won by Annemiek van Vleuten. Her victory stole headlines, boosting cycling’s gender push. Men’s sprints saw Wout van Aert shine, winning three stages. Vingegaard’s calm demeanor contrasted Pogačar’s aggression. Critics said the route favored climbers too much. The Champs-Élysées finale felt electric as ever.
Post-race, Vingegaard emerged as cycling’s new king, eyeing 2023. Pogačar vowed revenge after a rare defeat. The Tour’s dual events signaled a broader future. Denmark and France shared hosting praise. Riders collapsed in relief at the finish. The 2022 Tour was a brutal, beautiful spectacle.
