Race-against-the-clock specialist Remco Evenepoel produced a stunning display of power to win the first time trial of the Tour de France on Wednesday and defending champion Tadej Pogacar cemented his favorite status by grabbing the yellow jersey.

Three-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar played down the importance of taking over the yellow jersey after Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel stormed his way to an impressive victory in the fifth-stage time trial on Wednesday.

Denmark's Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) lost over a minute on Slovenia's Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG), who took the Tour de France's leader's yellow jersey, during the stage five time trial on Wednesday.

Vingegaard’s team-mate, Simon Yates, was condemned to content himself with finishing third at the Giro d’Italia until he wrestled the race into submission on the Colle delle Finestre on the penultimate stage. The Englishman won the whole thing by almost four minutes, denying Tadej’s team-mate Isaac del Toro victory.

Defending champion Tadej Pogacar secured the 100th professional victory of his stellar career in typically flamboyant style, beating Mathieu van der Poel in a dash to the line to win the hilly fourth stage of the Tour de France on Tuesday.

Tour de France icon Tadej Pogacar was left with a bloodied wrist after being cut open by the £250,000 watch he was wearing during the race.

Mathieu van der Poel would take over the yellow jersey from Tadej Pogacar in the sixth stage of the Tour de France. The Slovenian wasn't interested, but Visma | Lease a Bike almost derailed the plans of the Dutchman from Alpecin-Deceuninck,