Ben O'Connor (Team Jayco AlUla) wins stage eighteen from Vif to Col de la Loze (171.5 km).

From a large initial breakaway that formed on the Grandon , Roglic, Gall, Arensman, Rubio, Jorgenson and O'Connor broke away.

On the Madeleine , Visma set a strong pace that forced all the other riders in the general classification to drop back; Vingegaard attacked 3 km from the summit and caught up with Pogacar .

On the following flat section, Rubio, Jorgenson and O'Connor set off again, followed by Lipowitz, who returned on the descent, while no one in the leading group pushed and other GC riders like Johannessen, Vauquelin and Onley recovered before the start of the climb.

On the Col de la Loze, O'Connor goes solo. In the group, Visma fails to change pace, and halfway up the climb, UAE takes the lead. Vingegaard tries to attack in the finale, but it's too late to catch O'Connor, who deservedly wins.

Pogacar and a surprising Onley remain alongside the Dane, while Lipowitz struggles. In the final kilometer, Pogacar pulls away, opening up a gap and finishing in second place.

In the general classification, the Slovenian strengthens his yellow jersey, while Lipowitz holds on to the podium and the white jersey by 22 seconds over Onley.

ORDER OF ARRIVAL

1 O'CONNOR Ben Team Jayco AlUla 5:03:47

2 POGAČAR Tadej UAE Team Emirates - XRG 1:45

3 VINGEGAARD Jonas Team Visma | Lease a Bike 1:54

4 ONLEY Oscar Team Picnic PostNL 1:58

5 RUBIO One Movistar Team 2:00

6 GALL Felix Decathlon AG2R The World Team 2:25

7 ROGLIČ Primož Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe 2:46

8 YATES Adam UAE Team Emirates - XRG 3:03

9 JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland Uno-X Mobility 3:09

10 KUSS Sepp Team Visma | Lease a Bike 3:26