Pogacar primed for finale as Campenaerts and baby steal Tour de France show

Wanty team's Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay celebrates on the podium with the best sprinter's green jersey after the 18th stage of the 111th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 179,5 km between Gap and Barcelonnette, in southeastern France, on July 18, 2024. [AFP]

Belgian Victor Campenaerts wept with joy after winning stage 18 of the Tour de France as overall leader Tadej Pogacar and defending champion Jonas Vingegaard saved their thunder for a trilogy of harsh stages over the final weekend.

Pogacar and Vingegaard were relaxed as the escape pulled 15 minutes clear, the pair content to hold fire as the 2024 Tour reaches its climax in Nice on Sunday.