In a thrilling display of endurance and strategy, Tadej Pogacar has significantly advanced towards securing his fourth Tour de France title. The Slovenian cyclist outperformed his closest competitor, Jonas Vingegaard, in the final 500 meters of the challenging Col de la Loze, extending his lead to an impressive four minutes and 26 seconds with only three stages remaining.

Ben O'Connor of Australia claimed victory in stage 18, breaking away solo with 16km left and crossing the finish line one minute and 45 seconds ahead of Pogacar. Vingegaard followed in third, with Britain's Oscar Onley closely trailing, now just 22 seconds behind Florian Lipowitz for the final podium spot in the general classification.

This year's queen stage was a grueling test of the riders' limits, featuring three hors categorie climbs, including the Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, and the towering Col de la Loze. At 2,304 meters above sea level, the Col de la Loze marked the highest point of the race, setting the stage for what appears to be another triumphant chapter in Pogacar's illustrious career.

As the Tour de France progresses, all eyes will be on Pogacar to see if he can maintain his lead and clinch the title, while the remaining stages promise more intense competition and breathtaking cycling action.