Tadej Pogachar (UAE Team Emirates) and race leader Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma) put pressure on each other on the descent of the Category 1 Col de Spandel, with Vingegaard swerving first and nearly crashing.

When Pogachar crashed and quickly restarted, Vingegaard glanced behind him before slowing down and allowing his rival to restart.

When the strongest young rider rejoined the yellow jersey, the two shook hands in a show of sportsmanship and then, on the steep descent leading to the final Hautacam mountain in the Pyrenees, the two leaders (Wout Van Aert (Jumbo-Visma), Tibor Pinot (Groupama - FDJ) and Dani Martinez (Ineos Grenadiers)).

The duo took the lead in the race, with Sepp Kuss acting as pacemaker on the lower slopes of Hautacam. Then, with 4.3 km to go, Van Aert picked up the pace and, along with Vingegaard, brought down Pogachar, which Van Aert won.

On the chaotic descent before the final fireworks, the TV cameras showed the potential winners nearly wiping out on the narrow road. Vingegaard was running behind Pogachar when his wheel appeared to skid and he unclipped his left foot to stay upright.

Then, just two kilometers later, Pogachar ran wide on the outside of a corner, skidded, and plunged into the gutter. Since it was not a high-speed crash, he regained his composure and quickly rejoined Vingegaard.

"I dropped the chain and then tried to pedal," Vingegaard said after the race. Of course, there was no friction on the chain, and the rear wheel just slipped. I was a little freaked out, but I'm glad I made it back to Taddei."

"Taddei went a little too fast in one corner and made a little mistake. He then went out into a gravel ditch and then tried to get back onto the road. It was unfortunate for Taddeji, but of course I waited for him."