In a surprising turn of events at the Tour de France, Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Deceuninck emerged on the podium wearing the yellow jersey after stage four, instead of Tadej Pogačar from UAE Team Emirates-XRG, who won the stage. This unusual outcome stemmed from a rarely invoked rule called count-back, allowing Van der Poel to maintain his lead for a third consecutive day.
Both riders have displayed remarkable performance thus far, each achieving two stage victories and spending equivalent time of 16 hours and 46 minutes in the race. With identical time bonuses, a unique method was required to determine the overall leader. According to the Tour’s regulations, when racers are tied, finishing positions must be assessed. Van der Poel secured placement points tallying up to 54 across the stages, while Pogačar’s results added up to 92, placing him in second overall. Had Pogačar finished just 39 places higher on stage three, he would be in the coveted yellow jersey heading into stage five.
Looking ahead, stage five introduces an individual time trial, which promises to create significant shifts in the standings. Both competitors are also neck and neck in the green jersey classification, currently tied at 80 points. The rules for this classification stipulate that stage wins and intermediate sprint victories could further differentiate the two.
Additionally, Pogačar reclaimed the polka dot jersey by leading the mountains classification, sharing points with teammate Tim Wellens. The classification ties are resolved based on the number of successful climbs on categorized passes, and in this instance, Pogačar’s two wins on third-category climbs have provided him the edge.
This intense competition among two of the best riders in the world highlights not only their athletic prowess but also the strategic intricacies of the Tour de France. The upcoming individual time trial promises not only to break ties but also to redefine the race’s dynamics, injecting excitement into the heart of the competition. Fans can look forward to a thrilling stage ahead as the riders continue to push their limits.