Stage 13 of the Tour de France was a welcome respite for Jonas Vingegaard, who successfully defended the yellow jersey under pressure from rival Tadej Pogachar in the Alpe d'Huez on Thursday.

The Dane, who is 2:22 behind ranking leader Pogachar, had no problems as expected on the 192.6km stage to Saint-Etienne as the sprinter teams battled with the breakaway for the win.

Vingegaard finished safely in the peloton with the rest of the GC contenders, while up front, compatriot Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) took his third Danish stage win in four days.

At the post-race press conference, the 25-year-old Pedersen was asked if he had more time to enjoy the yellow stage because, unlike stage 12, there were no big mountains and he was easier in the saddle.

"Actually, I enjoyed both days," Vingegaard replied. 'It's been great so far,' he said. I'm enjoying the jersey every day. I just want to keep fighting every day to keep the jersey." [he added. But yes, I know. But yes, this is what I expected. But I also expected this to happen.

"As for the race, it wasn't a difficult or easy day. We knew there were places where the crosswinds were likely to blow, so we were very careful there. I was lucky to have a team with a lot of big riders. They guide and protect me on stages like this. In the end, I was able to save my legs for the mountain stages."

Of course, Vingegaard himself had won the Col de Granon two days earlier. The day before, Magnus Kort took his first Danish win in Megeve.

Vingegaard came into the Tour as one of the favorites, but his threat for the yellow jersey was:

The last time Denmark won a stage was in Lyon and Champagnol in 2020 when Søren Kraag Andersen took two wins from the break. When Bjarne Riis and Rolf Sørensen won the Tour in 1997, it was the most since the two riders combined for three victories.

"It's incredible for all Danes," Vingegaard said of the 2022 race.

"A stage win is always a big deal. So it was super big, at least for me. I'm happy for Mads and I'm happy for me."

The 2.9km, 10.5% Côte de la Croix Neuve is likely to be the next GC showdown after the Alps.

He has long acknowledged that Pogachar is the stronger of the two when it comes to the short, sharp, explosive efforts required on such climbs, and said the same when asked about Mende. He had little to say, however.

"As you said, I may not be good at short climbs. But, as always, I will give it my all and see what happens in the end."